Italian regions dispute public funding for ports and airports

In the Marche region, 100 million euros earmarked for local ports have been restored after a previous cancellation by the national government and the regional administration. Of that sum, 11 million euros is allocated to the port of Pesaro for long‑awaited projects such as dredging and a retaining wall. Democratic Party regional leader Riccardo Bernardi credited the reversal to strong local opposition, noting a protest on 9 May and emphasizing that the credit belongs to the municipality, businesses, unions and citizens.

In Puglia, deputy Dario Iaia of Fratelli d’Italia called for the immediate launch of regular civil flights from the Grottaglie airport. He argued that the substantial public investment made for the upcoming Mediterranean Games should translate into a permanent service for the province of Taranto, warning that without sustained airline traffic the spending would become a waste of taxpayer money. Iaia cited the successful activation of commercial flights at the nearby Foggia airport as a model that could be replicated.