Overview
- The Lega-sponsored plan, cleared first by the Senate Environment Committee, sought to keep leases in Sicily, Calabria and Sardinia in force until September 30, 2030, or March 31, 2031 in some cases.
- It conditioned extra years on the managing body and operator signing add-ons that mapped private investments to fix state-owned beach areas, repair damaged assets and ensure service continuity.
- The Economy and Finance Ministry issued a negative opinion over missing budget coverage, and the Senate Budget Committee then voted the amendment down.
- With the proposal dropped, municipalities stay on track to run competitive tenders by the schedule set in a 2024 law that moved expiries to 2027.
- Backers framed the measure as emergency relief after 2026 storms and erosion, while critics called it a disguised extension that could breach EU competition rules and favor current operators.