Overview
- The Corte dei Conti refused the legality stamp and registration of the August CIPESS resolution that approved the definitive bridge project and its economic plan.
- After a Palazzo Chigi meeting, officials said they will wait for the Court’s written reasons and then answer each objection, with Matteo Salvini indicating a likely start-of-works delay to February.
- Under Italian law, the Cabinet may re-deliberate citing a superior public interest, enabling the act to be registered with reservation and remain effective, though it carries political accountability.
- The Court stressed it assessed legal and public-spending safeguards rather than the project’s merits, and it asked for respectful criticism as motivations will be published within 30 days.
- Key issues flagged include funding coverage, traffic estimates, environmental and seismic compliance, and EU rules on cost increases, while opposition parties celebrate the stop and government allies vow to proceed.