Lower House approves contested Audit Court decree

(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 7 - Italy's Lower House on Wednesday have its backing to a bill formally on public administration that also curtails the concomitant oversight powers of the State Audit Court with respect to implementation of the EU funded post-Covid National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
    The bill was approved with 179 votes in favour and 126 votes against, after winning a vote of confidence on Tuesday.
    The bill now passes to the Senate.
    Opponents to the measures on the Audit Court claim they strip financial magistrates of constitutionally mandated powers to vet or monitor projects in support of Italy's ecological transition and technological innovation while they are being implemented, only leaving them with oversight powers once projects are completed, potentially exposing the NRRP + to graft and mafia infiltration.
    Premier Giorgia Meloni has denied charges that the government is trying to gag the court, saying she is merely following a norm laid down by Mario Draghi's previous administration with the aim of speeding up the plan, which has been hit by delays. (ANSA).