The relocation of ministries is not legitimized "neither by the Constitution, which identifies Rome as the capital of the Republic, nor by ordinary laws" and "although the intention to bring the public administration closer to the citizens cannot go so far as to imagine a 'capital widespread' or 'reticular', scattered throughout the country”. These are some of the words used by the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, in the harsh letter sent today to the Government regarding the latest casus belli raised by the League.
The Carroccio has opened in Monza "branch offices of operational representation" of the ministries led by Umberto Bossi (Reforms) and Roberto Calderoli (Simplification). The Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Economy (the only one of the four with a portfolio) should follow the same path shortly. The head of state underlines that these measures, implemented moreover through decrees "not published in the Official Gazette", put at risk "the nature of the capital of the city of Rome, seat of the Government of the Republic".
Colle's warning soon echoed in the corridors of Palazzo Chigi. So much so that Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, opening the Council of Ministers, issued an "urgent invitation - reads a note - to take due account of the observations made by the President of the Republic on the recent establishment of peripheral offices of ministerial structures, and therefore asked all ministers to behave accordingly ”. An attempt at mediation already wrecked. "Napolitano don't worry - Umberto Bossi replied - the offices remain there".
