# Italian regional autonomy reform

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-regional-autonomy-reform
> Updated: 2026-10-13T16:13:00.000Z. Sources: 33. Developments: 2.

The push for differentiated autonomy in Italy progressed from regional legislative actions to national government approval. Initially, regional governments, such as Piedmont, moved to implement autonomy agreements with the State to transfer competencies in areas including civil protection, health protection, and public finance coordination.

Subsequently, the Italian Council of Ministers approved autonomy agreements for the regions of Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, and Liguria. Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies Roberto Calderoli described the approval as a “decisive institutional milestone.” The process now moves toward final approval by the Italian Parliament.

In the latest development, the Council of Ministers approved definitive agreements and draft laws for Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto based on Article 116 of the Constitution. These measures aim to grant the territories greater administrative powers in sectors such as professional regulation, supplementary social security, and health protection coordination. 

Regional leaders, including Attilio Fontana of Lombardy and Alberto Cirio of Piedmont, participated in the proceedings. Vice Premier Matteo Salvini characterized the development as a “historic victory” for the Lega party, intended to reward merit and reduce administrative waste. 

While government officials hail the move, the reform has faced sharp criticism from political opponents. Giuseppe Falcomatà described the reform as a “secessionist move” that threatens the economic stability of Southern Italy. In response to the northern-focused agreements, the President of Puglia, Antonio Decaro, announced that his region intends to appeal to the Constitutional Court, citing risks to resource distribution and healthcare services. Additionally, the Movimento 5 Stelle in Sardinia has expressed readiness to challenge the reform if it harms regional interests. The CGIL trade union has also expressed concerns that the reform could fragment the national health service.

## Claims

- The Council of Ministers approved definitive agreements for differentiated autonomy for Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- Minister Roberto Calderoli described the approval as a decisive step forward for the reform. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- Matteo Salvini stated that the final step for the autonomy reform is now in Parliament. (corroborated by 10 sources)
- The autonomy agreements cover health protection, public finance coordination, civil protection, professional regulation, and supplementary social security. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Giuseppe Falcomatà described the autonomy reform as a secessionist maneuver that harms Southern Italy. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The Council of Ministers approved the first stage of the reform of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Statute. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The President of Puglia, Antonio Decaro, announced that the region will appeal to the Constitutional Court against the autonomy agreements. (single source)
- The Council of Ministers approved a decree law regarding the former Ilva steelworks to support workers and the industrial area. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-13: Italy approves differentiated autonomy for four northern regions

The Italian government has approved differentiated autonomy agreements for Liguria, Lombardy, Piedmont, and Veneto, moving the reform toward Parliament amid criticism from Southern leaders.

30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-approves-regional-autonomy-for-lombardy-piedmont-veneto-and-liguria

### 2026-09-22: Italian regions advance autonomy measures and port reforms

Italian regional councils are moving forward with differentiated autonomy measures in Piedmont, while the government rejects an amendment to protect the international free port status of Trieste.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/piedmont-regional-council-approves-differentiated-autonomy-resolution

---
Cite as: Italian regional autonomy reform. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-regional-autonomy-reform