Italy’s parliament has approved a controversial reform that eases controls and sanctions on public tenders, despite strong opposition from magistrates and lawmakers who warn it could lead to wasteful spending and legal abuse.
The reform, proposed by the coalition led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni more than two years ago, reduces the authority of Italy’s powerful court of auditors. The court oversees compliance with national and European Union rules governing the use of public funds.
Meloni’s right-wing government has repeatedly clashed with Italy’s judiciary. Officials accuse judges of political bias and say legal scrutiny often blocks key government initiatives, including infrastructure projects and immigration policies.
Tensions intensified two months ago when the Court of Auditors refused to authorise a flagship government plan to build a bridge linking Sicily to mainland Italy. Meloni described that decision as “intolerable interference.”
Lawmakers passed the bill in the upper house, the Senate, on Saturday by 93 votes to 51, clearing a major hurdle for the government’s legislative agenda.
Meno controlli, pareri preventivi e silenzio assenso, risarcimenti limitati anche in caso di condanna. È legge la «riforma» della Corte dei conti che riduce le responsabilità per chi amministra il denaro pubblico. Dopo il colpo al penale, il governo vuole mani libere#28dicembre pic.twitter.com/ZPvhlSdwGR
— il manifesto (@ilmanifesto) December 27, 2025Under the new rules, the maximum financial penalty for administrators found negligent in handling public funds will not exceed 30 per cent of the damage caused. The cap also limits liability to the equivalent of two years’ salary.
The reform also introduces a “silence means consent” provision. If an administrator seeks the auditors’ opinion on a spending decision, the court must respond within 30 days. If it does not, the authorisation automatically becomes valid, and the administrator cannot be subject to future sanctions for that decision.
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The government argues that the changes will boost economic growth by accelerating public works and easing what it describes as a climate of fear among officials. Ministers say many administrators hesitate to approve projects because they fear personal liability if auditors later challenge their decisions.
However, members of the auditors’ court and opposition lawmakers strongly disagree. They warn the reform weakens oversight and opens the door to inefficiency and corruption.
Alfredo Bazoli, a senator from the Democratic Party, said the legislation showed the government’s intent to “demolish controls on those with power.”
The reform comes ahead of a broader and more contentious overhaul of Italy’s justice system. That proposal would separate the career paths of prosecutors and judges. The government says the move would reduce conflicts of interest and curb political bias, while critics fear it could undermine judicial independence.
