Italian provincial leaders call for institutional reform

During the 39th National Assembly of Italian Provinces in Imperia, leaders called for a comprehensive reform to restore the stability and resources of provincial governments. Agnese Carletti, President of the Province of Siena, and Enzo Lattuca, President of the Union of Italian Provinces (UPI), emphasized the need to move past the institutional limbo created by the 2014 Delrio law.

Carletti argued that the weakening of these intermediate bodies has failed to reduce bureaucracy and has instead left smaller municipalities isolated and without adequate support. She highlighted the role of provinces as essential tools for territorial cohesion, bridging the gap between metropolitan areas and fragile internal regions.

Lattuca specifically addressed the severe lack of personnel and resources, noting that provinces have been operating under regulatory uncertainty for twelve years. He advocated for a “new Province” model capable of coordinating wide-area policies, managing school buildings, maintaining roads, and providing administrative support to smaller towns. Additionally, Lattuca called for the return of direct elections for provincial bodies to strengthen democratic values.