With the rejection of the Regional Statute, the Government has sent a clear political signal to Umbria. This time, however, it's not the local government's different majority that's to blame, but rather the fact that Umbria, in recent years, has strayed from the path of Catholic morality, embracing a broader, more secular path, in step with a changing society and built on rights for all. Indeed, the Council of Ministers' challenge has the air of a Sunday sermon rebuke: purely moralistic and lacking any real technical basis. We're not surprised, then, that, according to leaks leaked during the last Council of Ministers, the CEI appears to have been behind the rejection, through its usual pressure on National Alliance ministers. The interference of the Catholic hierarchy has now become a constant in our country's political life.
From the Government's document, which is still unofficial, it appears that Article 9 is the only real linchpin around which the entire appeal revolves, accompanied by other truly trivial "technical criticisms.".
As repeatedly noted by the constitutional experts who contributed to the drafting of the Umbrian Charter together with the special reform commission, there is no danger that the Constitutional Court will uphold the government's challenge. In fact, Article 9 does not establish the long-awaited equivalence of other forms of cohabitation with the family, but merely provides for protection. This same protection has already been confirmed as legitimate by several rulings of the Constitutional Court for the purposes of regional interventions. Not to mention the pressures we receive from the EU to align Italy with other EU countries, where these forms of cohabitation are already widely protected, if not equated.
Arcigay therefore hopes that the Regional Council will not give in to government pressure, but will continue to pursue a more secular Umbria, respecting the rights and diverse morals of all its citizens. At this time, a change to the text of Article 9 would be tantamount to an act of weakness on the part of the local government, a renunciation of the results of the participation that has involved so many associations and citizens, and which has made this Statute a true benchmark for all.
Arcigay ArciLesbica Circle
Omphalos
