Striving to challenge the government. Even contradicting themselves. For two days, since the car tax was abolished, Eugenio Giani and Michele de Pascale have been saying no, this measure should not be done. Because it is just “propaganda,” an “electoral bribe,” “demagogy.” Even “unconstitutional.”
But then, above all, unfair.
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In short: the two red governors just can’t swallow that exemption enacted by the Meloni government. And it may well be a stunt to make a scene, an electoral spot, as repeated by the opposition, but it must be reminded to the boss of Tuscany that, even in his region as in the rest of Italy, electric cars do not pay the tax. Which are generally very expensive. Ergo: it is a benefit that benefits the rich (or well-off), the only ones who can afford them.
Of course, the exemption was not introduced by Giani: it has existed since 1953 and applies throughout Italy. However, the governor labeled the government’s measure as “unconstitutional.” And he talks about a “healthcare-cut decree,” pointing the finger at the coverage, that is, the savings from the PNRR. “It is being said,” he explained, “that from Europe I take something that was supposed to be used for investments, to cover a totally different part, the current part with which healthcare is financed. The unconstitutionality is evident and clear.”
CUT
Then Giani mainly complains about the cut of funds, amounting to 350 million euros, which, according to him, Tuscany will suffer. “We are talking about a refund to the regions of 2 billion and 200 million. In a country with 20 regions, this means reimbursing at most 100 million,” the governor emphasizes, recalling that the compensation provided by the government is around 100 million. “The thing is scandalous,” he concludes. “Meloni acted with extreme superficiality,” attacks Giani, “she plays an electoral measure in which she cuts taxes, but she does it, guess what, not with state taxes, but regional ones. It had never come to this in 80 years of the Republic. The cornerstones of the reliability of public administrations are undermined.”
And certainly he must be a bit nervous, given the hole in Tuscan healthcare. A chasm that this year should be between 370 and 400 million euros. So, to hide the dust under the carpet, Giani thinks it wise to shift the responsibility to the government.
But his party colleague de Pascale has also been quite critical of the abolition of the tax. “Italians will not be bought,” declared the governor of Emilia-Romagna.
He, just over a year ago, in 2025, decided to increase it, the tax. A 10% tweak, in effect since January 1st, whose proceeds, at least in the intentions of the regional council, should go to finance healthcare and territorial safety. Not only that.
Because in Emilia-Romagna, in 2016 a total exemption for three years from registration was introduced for hybrid cars, and in 2017 the duration was extended to five years.
Then, however, de Pascale in 2025 eliminated the benefits, leaving only the one for electric vehicles in force: exemption from the tax for five years; after that, a reduced tax of 25% (thus discounted by 75%) of that paid by a gasoline car.
THE PROPOSAL
Tommaso Fiazza, leader of the Lega in the regional council, spoke out against de Pascale. “For two years we have proposed a discount for those who choose direct debit: a small reward for those who guaranteed the region a certain and timely payment” but “the region said no.” “Now,” he added, “we expect the region to also follow the government” and “accept our proposal”: “A discount of at least 10% on the tax for those who choose direct debit.”
But in Puglia there is also a similar favorable regime for owners of hybrid cars. Also in the region led by Antonio Decaro (who speaks of the government’s measure as “suspicious timing”) electric vehicles enjoy a reduced tax of 25% starting from the sixth year from registration (in the first five years there is total exemption). And then from January 1, 2014, all new hybrid vehicles (gasoline-electric or diesel-electric) registered from 2014 onwards enjoy six years of total exemption. After that, the tax remains reduced by 75% (only 25% is paid) forever. And these discounts on hybrids were introduced by regional councils.
Summing up was the center-right governor of Piedmont, Alberto Cirio. “This car tax thing is incredible. In my region, 1,616,000 Piedmontese will no longer pay the tax next year,” he declared, before launching a proposal: “I will do something in Piedmont. I will make it optional for those on the left. If they like paying it so much, let them pay this tax.”
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