Rome Takes a Historic Step Toward Autonomy

by Adriana ruiz

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Rome is undergoing a significant transformation with the recent approval of a constitutional bill aimed at elevating its status and granting it greater autonomy. This historic reform, championed by Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, seeks to address the unique challenges of governing Italy’s capital. The proposed changes are designed to improve Rome’s ability to manage its own affairs, ultimately benefiting both the city and the entire country.

A Constitutional Shift for Rome

On August 1, 2025, the Council of Ministers approved a constitutional bill to modify Article 114 of the Italian Constitution. This change would formally recognize Rome as a “Capital City” among the Republic’s constituent entities, a status currently only granted to the state, regions, provinces, and municipalities. This legal and administrative shift is the first step toward a more effective and self-sufficient Rome.

The bill’s primary objective is to grant Rome special legislative powers over several key areas. These include local public transport, administrative policing, urban planning, commerce, cultural and environmental heritage, tourism, and social services. By allowing the city to legislate on these matters, the reform aims to provide Rome with the necessary tools to address its specific needs without having to rely solely on national legislation.

The Path to Financial and Administrative Autonomy

While the constitutional bill lays the groundwork, its success hinges on a parallel ordinary law that will define the city’s new administrative and financial structure. Mayor Gualtieri has stressed the importance of these two legislative efforts moving forward together. The ordinary law will be crucial for a number of reasons:

• Financial autonomy: It will grant Rome special financial autonomy, as per Article 119 of the Constitution. This means the city will have more control over its budget and revenue, allowing it to better fund essential services and infrastructure projects.

• Specific resources: The law will identify the necessary resources to support Rome’s new functions. This includes determining the appropriate funding levels to match the expanded responsibilities of the “Capital City” entity.

• Administrative decentralization: It will provide for new forms of administrative decentralization, making governance more efficient and responsive to the needs of different neighborhoods and districts.

Mayor Gualtieri believes this combination of constitutional and ordinary law reform is the only way to truly empower Rome. He has appealed for a bipartisan approach, arguing that this is a matter of national importance that transcends political divides. He emphasizes that this reform is not for any single administration but for the long-term benefit of the city and its residents. If all goes according to plan, the law is expected to take effect in 2027.

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