Last October the South Tyrolean People's Party (SVP) won absolute majority in the parliamentary elections of this autonomous province under Italian administration. Two months after, the President has outlined the government agenda for the next 5 years before the assembly chamber, in which fiscal federalism and new transfers of power are the most significant aspects.

The new legislature officially opens today, December 30, with the first session of the Provincial Council of Bolzano-Bozen. For the fifth consecutive time Luis Durnwalder will be the president of a government with a majority of SVP members. Christian Tommasini will be the only representative from the Democratic Party (PD). The SVP-PD coalition will have a sufficient majority, as will retain 20 seats out of 35.

On December 16, Durnwalder addressed the provincial councilors in order to list the priorities of his cabinet for the next 5 years. As is the custom, Durnwalder referred to the Italian fiscal reform being drafted by Berlusconi’s cabinet, which should come into force during 2009. The South Tyrolean leader was openly in favor of fiscal federalism and declared that “if the province, instead of the Italian State, has authority over taxes, there will be more money in the pockets of our citizens”.

Durnwalder also stated that whatever it is the reforms the central government puts forward, the finance system must respect the 1946 and 1969 Austro-Italian treaties, which guarantee self-government for South Tyrol. As Durnwalder pointed out, such international agreement is exclusive to South Tyrol and not applicable in any other region of Italy.

Competences over postal services and broadcasting

According to Durnwalder, more powers should be transferred from Rome to Bolzano-Bozen. Firstly, the South Tyrolean government wants some representation in South Tyrol-based Italian public service broadcaster (RAI). The president believes that the influence of his government may be useful to strengthen German and Ladin languages in television and radio schedules. A second package of competences would refer to postal services, public security and state and judiciary staff. Durwalder already met Minister of Legislative Simplification Roberto Calderoli (Lega Nord) last August in order to discuss the matter.

(Picture: Durnwalder addressing the Provincial Council. By: Press Office of the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol)

Further information:

• Alto Adige: Accordo e poi strappo. L'Svp toglie l'industria al Pd
• ASCA: 9 gruppi consiliari. Durnwalder presenta Giunta
• Nationalia: Autonomists retain absolute majority in South Tyrol elections

Further information in South Tyrol profile.