# Italy Proposes Restoring Direct Elections for Provincial Presidents The government reform aims to end the administrative limbo of Italian provinces. - **Source:** [Il Sole 24 Ore – Italia](https://www.ilsole24ore.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/e1c17e4a-5397-4fcc-b2e6-bc070dfe9999 ## Legislative Reform Initiative The Italian government has officially introduced a draft law to restore direct elections for provincial presidents and councilors. This reform, part of a broader revision of local government regulations, returns to the Council of Ministers after being frozen since August 2023. It aims to finalize a long-standing political debate regarding provincial governance. ## Addressing Administrative Stagnation Provinces have remained in a state of limbo since the failed 2016 referendum intended to abolish them. Local administrators, who are primarily mayors, have long complained about the inability to provide essential services. President Sergio Mattarella recently urged the government to intervene, emphasizing the urgent need to restore functional local area governance. ## New Electoral Mechanism The proposed reform replaces the current second-level voting system with universal suffrage. Candidates winning over 40 percent of the vote will secure a majority premium, granting their coalition 60 percent of council seats. This threshold mirrors proposals currently under discussion in the Senate for municipalities with populations exceeding 15,000 residents. ## Strengthening Provincial Functions Beyond electoral changes, the reform seeks to redefine the fundamental roles of provinces and metropolitan cities. It mandates that provinces focus exclusively on functions requiring supra-municipal coordination. This shift aims to streamline the complex network of existing authorities and ensure that provincial activities directly address the primary needs of local communities. ## Anti-Mafia Collaborative Support The draft introduces a new mechanism for entities at risk of mafia infiltration, offering an alternative to total administrative dissolution. Instead of immediate commissariamento, the government proposes a collaborative support model. This approach aims to identify and neutralize criminal influence while preserving the integrity of the democratically elected local representation. ## Administrative and Technical Roles The reform also targets the professional status of municipal and provincial secretaries. It seeks to clarify the boundary between political responsibilities and technical management duties. This adjustment follows recent changes by the Court of Auditors, which shifted significant liability risks onto technical management, necessitating a clearer definition of administrative accountability. ## Legislative Timeline Constraints The bill arrives during the final phase of the current legislature, creating a tight window for approval. If passed, the government will have a 12-month window to execute the comprehensive revision of local government ordinances. Most observers anticipate that the next legislature will likely be responsible for completing the implementation process. ## Political Signaling Intent This move serves as a significant political signal, responding to persistent pressure from parties across the spectrum. By prioritizing the restoration of direct democracy at the provincial level, the government attempts to resolve years of legislative hesitation. The focus remains on balancing political representation with the practical necessity of effective local service delivery. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/province-governo-fa-tornare-l-elezione-diretta-presidenti-AJHK4CAC — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._