“Risorse da Roma, o perderemo pezzi”. The desire of Veneto’s local councils to move to Friuli is causing difficulties for the Lega

Autonomy is slow in coming. The crisis is mounting. And so the border municipalities in Veneto are stepping up the pressure to move to Friuli-Venezia Giulia – a land, they say, “to which we have always belonged in terms of culture and traditions”, but above all a region with special status. "The issue is there and it is urgent," acknowledge the Venetian councillors, led by Rosanna Conte, a League member from Portogruaro, just a few kilometres from the Tagliamento, who in recent weeks has brought the area’s demands to the agenda. "We need guaranteed resources to ensure the functioning of the permanent working group for the implementation of a strategic development plan." In other words, funds allocated to local councils to discourage separatist tendencies. "These sums are necessary to eliminate objective disparities: between a civil servant in these areas and another in Pordenone, in Friuli – a mere 20-minute drive along the motorway – there is a difference of 300–400 euros in monthly salary, despite identical skills and cost of living."

There are reportedly 11 ‘rebel municipalities’ in eastern Veneto – perhaps ten, if Caorle reaffirms its loyalty to Venice – led by the combative local council of San Michele al Tagliamento: in recent days, they have even gone so far as to invoke Napoleon, accused of having drawn the border line on paper. Two centuries ago. “These demands must be taken seriously,” the former MEP explains to Il Foglio. “From business support to funding for families, we need to find an effective way to retain these territories. Because ceding tourist hubs such as Lignano or Bibione would mean losing tens of millions of euros in related economic activity. And it wouldn’t solve the problem: if the border were moved further afield, we’d be back to square one.” Last week, another Venetian councillor, during a meeting in Trieste, came up with a far-fetched proposal to tackle the issue: the creation of a ‘Venezia’ macro-region, capable of administratively incorporating the entire north-east. “It would be an appealing scenario, but it is Friuli, first and foremost, that is firmly opposed to it: apart from the lucrative seaside towns, all the others would, in their view, be a debt burden.” Thus, in Veneto, the spectre of Sappada is beginning to take shape – the mountain municipality in the Belluno area that passed to Friuli-Venezia Giulia in 2017 following a referendum. A setback, and a precedent to be avoided. "By now, however, eastern Veneto is more combative than Cadore: I’m finding it difficult to keep these eleven municipalities in check. And once again, the fundamental issue is economic, because in the Belluno area they can count on greater resources."

Rosanna Conte, a member of the Lega, says that “differentiated autonomy is struggling to materialise. Consequently, I am considering various draft national bills that have already been drawn up to address such an urgent issue”. And what about the regional council, still led by the Lega? What is its stance towards border municipalities? “The fact remains, and we acknowledge it,” echoes Marco Zecchinato, councillor for local authorities. “There are areas with specific characteristics and geographical locations where it is easier to highlight the differences between territories. Eastern Veneto is on the agenda: we are continuing a dialogue that has been ongoing for months; we know that Friuli-Venezia Giulia has different resources guaranteed by its special statute, but for those areas we have operational tools – some already in place, others yet to be implemented – to alleviate their situation.” For example, the Letta Fund, “replenished every three years, currently amounting to around 10 million euros a year”. The funds come from the Ministry; Rome administers them, whilst Veneto plays a monitoring and oversight role. "In addition, there is the 2007 special law for mountain and border areas, under which a further 150,000 euros is allocated: this year we have increased the figure to 250,000. Meanwhile, the cross-border project we are implementing with Friuli and Carinthia aims to develop joint initiatives and attract further economic resources. We can count on the full cooperation of all parties, including in terms of the recognition of linguistic minorities and specific local characteristics.” In short, the problem is not being denied. Efforts are being made to mitigate it. Yet this is not enough. Not yet. “The more time passes, the harder it is to compete financially with the Friulian alternative,” Conte added. “The aim is to secure new resources from Rome: I will soon be contacting my relevant parliamentary colleagues, trying to make them understand the importance of a structural plan. Because those who live in the area have a slightly better feel for its moods. It’s time to move forward. Or we’ll lose ground.”