The "Green" case: the final free decision - that's what changes. Only Hungary and Italy voted against, with Italy focused on the Savini bill on construction amnesty.

While the European Union is approving a new directive on real estate sustainability called "Green Homes," Italy and Hungary are opposing these changes, awaiting clarifications from the government. In this situation, an event occurring in Italy is causing significant concern. Infrastructure and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini announced a plan to support the residential sector, which some view as the nineteenth "amnesty" law under the government of Giorgia Meloni. This law is expected to "save" numerous high-rise buildings inMilan that have become embroiled in scandals related to violations of building codes. The situation is escalating, affecting not only the Milan city administration but also many other participants in the construction process: engineers, contractors, and designers.

Furthermore, this event highlights the growing contradiction between the position of the European Union and the Italian government regarding legislation in the fields of construction and ecology.“We voted against the directive on green homes; the process is complete. Now the question is who will pay.”“This was stated by the Minister of Economy, Giancarlo Giorgetti, at a meeting in Luxembourg. The directive on green buildings has been finally adopted. Observing the voting at the Ecofin council, it can be noted that 15 votes out of 27 were required for approval, but 20 were received. The Italian government and Hungary voted against, while Sweden, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, and Slovakia abstained. The directive will soon be published in the Official Journal of the European Union and will come into effect in 20 days.

At the Coreper meeting held on April 10, ambassadors from member states agreed on a text that had been negotiated with the European Parliament on December 7, 2023. In January, the directive was supported in the European Parliament by the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), which confirmed a revised version that significantly differed from the initial proposals of the European Commission.

In April, 370 deputies voted in favor, 199 against, and 46 abstained in the plenary vote. Representatives of the PD, M5S, and Avs parties supported the directive, while the third political camp was divided, with the majority voting unanimously against. Although the adopted text does not impose obligations for the reconstruction of individual properties based on unified European energy classifications, countries can develop their own national plans to improve energy efficiency based on the average assessment for the entire building stock.

The ongoing confrontation between the Italian government and the European Union is causing discontent.“Once again on the key issue concerning the future of citizens and Europe, Giorgia Meloni's government is siding with Orbán and finds itself completely isolated in the EU.”“This was commented on by Tiziana Beggin, head of the Italian Five Star Movement delegation in the European Parliament. She added that instead of urgently demanding additional resources from Ecofin to achieve new European goals, Minister Giorgetti is essentially engaging in ineffective opposition.”

The fight against the new directive continues.“We rejected the proposed changes for the so-called 'green houses', which have already been cleared of many ideological and anti-crisis elements. The directive needs to be completely revised.”“claims Erika Mazzetti, head of the national department of public works for the 'Italy Forward' party. At the same time, the president of the Confedilizia Association, Giorgio Spaziani Testa, reminded that its members have been waging a nearly solitary battle against the bureaucratic and coercive approach of the new directive for a long time.”

While the European Union is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the energy efficiency of buildings, the Italian government continues its efforts to legalize construction violations. Minister Salvini stated that those who built villas in protected or hazardous areas have no excuses.“But since minor violations within residential premises create problems for millions of families and clutter thousands of municipalities, this needs to be addressed. Citizens pay, municipalities receive income, the market starts to grow, and of course, we aim to lower property and rental prices.”However, these words raise doubts among those who fear that this approach will lead to the legalization of more serious violations.

In response to this, lawmakers from the 5 Star Movement note that there are already necessary regulations in place to address minor violations, and that the main priorities should be assistance in reducing rent and housing loans. Activists from Legambiente also express concerns that the proposed new amnesty for minor construction violations could only encourage the growth of illegal construction businesses in a country that already faces difficulties in enforcing demolition orders for illegal structures.