Italian regions Abruzzo and Calabria dispute budget matters over sports debt and car tax

Regional budget chief Mario Quaglioni of Abruzzo defended a €2.06 million out‑of‑budget debt linked to the 2024 Giro d’Abruzzo cycling race. He said the debt arose because the event took place before a formal contract with RCS Sport was signed on 18 June 2025 and described the criticism from opposition parties and a parliamentary inquiry as “instrumental”. Quaglioni asserted that the region’s finances remain solid and that the procedural debt is normal under the law.

In Calabria, assessors Marcello Minenna responded to M5S euro‑parliamentarian Gianni Tridico’s proposal to abolish the regional car tax (bollo auto). Minenna warned that a national abolition would be funded by the state, whereas a regional exemption would cost the region up to €180 million in lost revenue, with a realistic impact of €45‑90 million after benefits. He criticized the proposal as financially unsustainable and emphasized the need for compensation for any loss of tax income.