EU challenges government’s beach concession plan, writes to Italy: ‘The goal is a constructive solution’

Brussels – Beach concessions: The government is stumbling over the legislative text drafted in an attempt to resolve an issue that has been dragging on for years and has reached its most delicate—and perhaps decisive—moment with the ruling by the European Court of Justice. Automatic renewal, without competitive bidding, is no longer allowed, and Italian authorities are considering the possibility of compensating those denied the renewal of permits for the use of public coastal property. However, this choice would put Italy in violation of competition rules, to the point that the European Commission, on July 7, sent a letter to the government urging it to correct the decree designed to resolve the situation. 

“I can confirm that a letter has been sent” to “ensure that a constructive solution to the problem is reached,” Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the EU executive, said today (July 22), responding to a question during the daily press briefing. These clarifications confirm at least two things: the beach concessions game is still open and far from being closed, and Rome and Brussels are working towards an agreed solution.

 If Italy were to continue to breach the rules on beach concessions, the EU executive would have to initiate an infringement procedure, an eventuality that both the government and the EU Commission would like to avoid. For Giorgia Meloni and the majority, such a measure would be a severe blow to their image. For the College of Commissioners, it would mean embarking on a confrontational path with unclear boundaries, which has always been a sensitive issue for the country. 

Therefore, a “constructive solution with our Italian friends” is preferred and preferable, Regnier continues, confirming Brussels’ intentions to meet Meloni and help the government to develop a measure in line with EU law. “The dialogue with the Italian authorities is continuing” for this very purpose.