The government's simplification
decree was passed into law on Thursday.
The law, which streamlines bureaucracy and gets rid of red tape,
was passed by 214 votes to 149 in the Lower House.
Premier Giuseppe Conte has hailed the decree as the "springboard
Italy needs at the moment".
The package streamlines bureaucratic procedures for public
works, as well as cutting other red tape.
"Tenders will be faster," the premier said.
"There will be no tender competitions for (contracts) under
150,000.
"The threshold for the direct assignment (of projects) goes up
from 40,000 to 150,000 (euros).
"As of today the public authorities will be able to get works
started.
"The tenders and competitions will be negotiated up to five
million euros.
"The rule remains that competitions (are held for contracts)
over five million".
The premier also said the crime of abuse of office was being
revised so that public officials are no longer terrified of
giving the all-clear to projects out of fear of possible legal
troubles
further down the road.
But he stressed that this does not mean the State is going soft
on corruption.
"We are lifting the speed limit, Italy needs to go fast, but we
are increasing the speed cameras too," said Conte.
"We don't want to whet criminal appetites to alter competition
and make illegal gains".
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