Supreme Court Paves Way for Referendum on Controversial Autonomy Law
On Thursday, the Supreme Court acknowledged the legitimacy of a referendum request from opposition parties aimed at repealing the contentious law on differentiated autonomy. This law allows for the transfer of powers from the federal government to regional governments that seek such authority.
While the court’s approval is a significant step, the fate of the referendum still hangs in the balance. The Constitutional Court must now ascertain its admissibility by January 20, 2025. Should the Constitutional Court greenlight the initiative, the government and the president of the Republic could then proceed to announce the referendum, which is expected to take place sometime between April 15 and June 15, 2025.
The Supreme Court’s decision was eagerly awaited, especially following a previous ruling from the Constitutional Court that deemed parts of the autonomy law unconstitutional. The questions approved by the Supreme Court for the referendum are centered on the full repeal of the contentious law, which has been regarded as partially illegitimate. Conversely, the Court did not validate questions posed by certain regions seeking a partial repeal, leaving that avenue unavailable for opposition parties.
This move marks a rare moment of unity among opposition parties, who have come together in their disapproval of the government's stance on the law. As the legislative landscape evolves, the outcome of this referendum could have lasting implications for the balance of power between state and regional authorities.
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