[REVISION HISTORY]

Calabria regional statute referendum dispute

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2026-10-30 19:53 UTC → 2026-10-31 14:57 UTC · added ~~removed~~

A legal and legislative dispute continues in Calabria regarding a planned referendum to amend the regional statute. The proposed changes, requested by seven regional councilors, involve the introduction of up to two undersecretaries to the Presidency of the Junta and modifications to the regional executive's composition. In September 2026, the TAR Calabria declared the regional administration's attempt to block the referendum inadmissible, ruling that the matter falls under the jurisdiction of ordinary ~~judges rather than administrative ones.~~ judges. The regional administration, led by President Roberto Occhiuto, subsequently appealed this decision to the Council of State. In October 2026, the center-right majority moved to preempt the vote by proposing the repeal of Regional Law 9, which had increased the maximum number of regional assessors from seven to nine and created undersecretary positions. Proponents argued that canceling the referendum would save approximately 7 million ~~euros, allowing funds to be redirected toward diesel cost subsidies.~~ euros. The Calabria Regional Council approved the repeal, effectively suspending the confirmatory referendum scheduled for November 29. The move has generated political tension: opposition members characterized the repeal as a tactic to “neutralize political debate and avoid a public vote,” while the majority defended it as an act of fiscal responsibility. In late On October 30, 2026, the Council of State definitively rejected the region's appeal, upholding the ~~recognition of the~~ right to hold the referendum. ~~Regional councilor Enzo Bruno described the~~ This ruling ~~as a “victory~~ follows previous decisions by the TAR and the Central Office for ~~democratic prerogatives,” warning that~~ the referendum ~~will proceed if~~ at the ~~contested regulation is not definitively canceled.~~ Court of Appeal of Catanzaro. Opposition members, including the Movimento 5 Stelle, have criticized President Occhiuto, alleging that the creation of these roles was an attempt to distribute political positions to maintain a fragile majority. Critics argue the roles are unnecessary and costly, noting that each undersecretary would receive approximately 14,470 euros per month. Opposition leaders are now calling for the formal abolition of the undersecretary figure through legislative action.

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