Italian mountain municipality law triggers protests in Abruzzo and legal challenge in Umbria

The Italian government’s new law on mountain municipalities (Law 131) reclassifies which towns qualify for special funding and service exemptions. After its publication in the Official Gazette, local officials in Abruzzo voiced strong opposition. Angelo Radica, president of the regional association of mountain municipalities (ALI Abruzzo), described the measure as “a poorly considered choice that ignored the objections of hundreds of municipalities.” Administrators fear the new classification could reduce access to EU and state funds, affect school closures and limit other subsidies.

In Umbria, seven municipalities – Calvi dell’Umbria, Città della Pieve, Corciano, Deruta, Magione, Marsciano and Panicale – have filed an appeal with the Lazio Administrative Court. Their lawyers argue the criteria rely solely on altitude and slope, ignoring factors such as road isolation, depopulation and service scarcity, which the constitution requires the state to protect. The outcome could determine whether these towns retain vital financial support tied to mountain status.