What is your research about?

The research project of my PhD programme concerns the implementation of differentiated regionalism in Italy (pursuant to Article 116 (3) of the Italian Constitution) which is currently at the centre of public debate in Italy. Indeed, the Italian Government has recently presented a bill (disegno di legge) on this issue and has also set up a government committee to define the basic levels of services concerning civil and social rights that must be guaranteed throughout the national territory (so-called “LEP”). The determination of these basic levels represents a necessary and preliminary step – as per the the government bill – for the implementation of differentiated regionalism in Italy.

The approach used in my research is to assume that by granting greater forms of autonomy to the Italian regions, Italy could have a more efficient framework of competences, in compliance with the principle of vertical subsidiarity pursuant to the Italian Constitution. However, to ensure that this process can take place in a fair manner, in accordance with Article 5 of the Italian Constitution, it will be crucial to determine, as pointed out by the draft law, the basic levels of services concerning civil and social rights that must be guaranteed throughout the country and, at the same time, the economic and financial conditions under which new competences can be transferred to the Italian regions. It will be also important to define how the government should guarantee economic equalisation between the different regions. The purpose of my research consists in analysing the Italian process towards fiscal federalism and differentiated regionalism and in identifying, through a comparative approach, possible scenarios for the future development of legislation and policies.

What is your background?

I am a PhD student in Constitutional Law (Intersectoral Innovation) at the University of Milan, where I graduated in Law with a dissertation on Criminal Law and Supranational Constitutional Justice. I have previously worked as a qualified lawyer and consultant. I also attended several specialisation courses, including a Second Level Master in Compliance and Corruption Prevention in the Public and Private Sectors at the University LUISS Guido Carli in Rome (which was organised in collaboration with ANAC – the Italian National Anti-Corruption Authority). My research topics range from constitutional law to comparative public law and include the main issues of regional and local government.