Campania region allocates €100,000 per councilor as M5S pushes local welfare plan

The Campania regional council approved a measure that lets each of its 60 councilors direct up to €100,000 of public funds toward municipalities, associations, and local initiatives. While formally legal, critics say the "legge mancia" could turn public money into a tool for political patronage, allowing elected officials to reward their own electoral bases.

In the town of Agropoli, the local branch of the Five Star Movement (Movimento 5 Stelle) has revived its proposal for a minimum‑wage and welfare programme, arguing that the funds made available by the regional allocation should be used to address social and economic needs. The group urged the municipal administration to activate the resources promptly, emphasizing that the money exists but political will is required to convert it into concrete assistance for residents.