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Italy’s far-right prime minister, Georgia Meloniwas accused of “splitting the country” after parliament approved a controversial bill giving regions more power that critics say will increase poverty in the south.
The reform, approved by the lower house early Wednesday after a fierce debate that lasted all night, is part of the Italian state’s government overhaul, including a bill approved by the upper house on Tuesday that would allow for the direct election of a prime minister.
The “differentiated autonomy” bill, demanded by wealthy right-wing Lombardy and Veneto and left-wing Emilia-Romagna, gives regions more power over how their tax revenue is collected and spent, as well as over public services such as health and education.
The approval of the bill, which passed by 172 votes to 99, was hailed by Matteo Salvini, leader of the League, a member of the ruling coalition that has defended the reform for years, as a “victory for all Italians”.
Meloni said it was “a step forward towards building a stronger and fairer Italy” and claimed it would “overcome the differences that exist today between different parts of the country”.
Critics say that if richer regions get to keep more of their tax revenue, it will mean less financial resources for poorer regions, which are mostly in the south.
The measure was so controversial that it led to a brawl in parliament last week, with a politician from the opposition Five Star Movement needing medical attention. The fight sparked a demonstration in Rome by opposition parties on Tuesday evening, which said they were uniting “to defend national unity” in the face of the two reforms and to protest alleged “violence and intimidation” by the ruling coalition.
Elie Schlein, leader of the center-left Democratic Party (PD), said the measure was divisive and would increase inequality. “Meloni, the patriot who divides the country,” she said. “Brothers of Italy bowed to separatist dreams of the League.”
The bill allowing for the direct election of a prime minister is a significant constitutional change that Meloni has vigorously promoted, describing it as the “mother of all reforms”.
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Under the proposal, the prime minister would be elected for five years and the coalition backing the winning candidate would get at least 55 percent of the seats, a law Meloni said would help end revolving-door governments in Italy. Critics fear the bill, reminiscent of a constitutional change made by fascist dictator Benito Mussolini nearly a century ago, could push Italy toward authoritarianism.
Any change to the constitution must be approved by both houses of parliament with a two-thirds majority. The vote in the upper house failed, the result is expected to be repeated in the lower house, meaning the bill will almost certainly be put to a referendum, which could be held in 2025.
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