Following harsh reactions from members of the Italian government to its refusal to grant legitimacy clearance for the Strait Bridge project, the Audit Court has released an official statement clarifying its position.
The constitutional body explained that its assessment focused “exclusively on legal aspects” of the CIPESS resolution regarding the project’s financial plan, “without any consideration of the project’s merits or political opportunity.”
The Court also stressed the importance of legality in the management of public funds, reaffirming that “safeguarding the regularity of public expenditure is a duty enshrined in the Constitution.” It added that decisions and rulings by the Court “can certainly be subject to criticism, but always within a framework of respect for the magistrates’ work.”
The remarks came after Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni labeled the Court’s decision a “political move” and an “intolerable interference.” Meanwhile, the government is preparing a cabinet meeting on the issue, with the clear intention of moving forward with the project without further delay.