Sicilian Regional Assembly debates billion-euro budget amendment

The Sicilian Regional Assembly has commenced intensive deliberations regarding a major budget amendment exceeding one billion euros. In the First Institutional Affairs Commission, chaired by Ignazio Abbate, voting has begun on nearly one hundred proposed amendments. Key areas of focus include civil protection, local authorities, and anti-racket entities.

Specific approved amendments include 20 million euros for local autonomy real estate maintenance, 2 million euros for the civil protection fund, and 1.5 million euros for emergency assistance during public disasters. Additionally, 2 million euros have been allocated for the Modica municipal cemetery following damage from Cyclone Harry.

Despite progress in the first commission, the assembly faces internal friction. Recent plenary sessions have been marked by low productivity and the absence of key government members, leading to criticism from opposition leaders such as the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement. Concerns have also been raised regarding the exclusion of certain groups from the Budget Commission, complicating the legislative process as the full budget text is expected in October.