President of Lombardy

President of Lombardy
Post	President of Lombardy
Native name	Presidente della Regione Lombardia
Incumbent	Attilio Fontana
Incumbent since	26 March 2018
Residence	Palazzo Lombardia
Seat	Milan
Appointer	Popular election
Termlength	Five years
Formation	1970 (directly elected since 1995)
Inaugural	Giuseppe Guzzetti

President of Lombardy The President of Lombardy is the head of the regional executive of Lombardy, based in Milan, who presides over the Regional Council of Lombardy and leads the Regional Government of Lombardy. The office interacts with institutions such as the Italian Republic, the Prime Minister of Italy, the Italian Constitution of 1948 and other regional presidents like the President of Veneto and the President of Lazio. The role evolved through reforms including the Bassanini reforms and the Constitutional reform of 2001.

Role and functions

The post functions as chief of the regional executive in Lombardy, coordinating policy among bodies such as the Executive Council of Lombardy, the Regional Council of Lombardy, the Ministry of the Interior (Italy), the Court of Audit (Italy), and interfaces with the European Union. The incumbent represents Lombardy in relations with the Italian government, the Autonomous Region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, the Region of Piedmont and city institutions like the Metropolitan City of Milan. The officeholder attends forums such as the Conference of Regions and Autonomous Provinces and liaises with agencies like the Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente and the Agenzia per la Mobilità Metropolitana.

Election and term

Since the Trombetta reform and the 1995 electoral changes, the president is elected by popular vote in regional elections such as those of 1995 Italian regional elections, 2010 Italian regional elections, and 2018 Italian regional elections. The term lasts five years under rules influenced by the Constitutional Court of Italy, the Law 165/2004 and practices found in regions like Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont. Electoral mechanics reference statutes like the Regional electoral law of Lombardy and interact with parties including Lega Nord, Forza Italia, Partito Democratico, Movimento 5 Stelle and coalitions exemplified in the Centre-right coalition (Italy). Succession rules involve the Regional Council of Lombardy and may trigger early elections similar to precedents in Basilicata.

Powers and responsibilities

The president appoints and dismisses members of the Regional Government of Lombardy, issues decrees within competences outlined by the Italian Constitution of 1948 and exercises legislative initiative before the Regional Council of Lombardy. Competences overlap with sectors managed by institutions like the Agenas, the National Association of Italian Municipalities, the Ministry of Health (Italy), and infrastructural bodies such as Autostrade per l'Italia for coordination. The president shapes regional statutes, budget proposals submitted to the Regional Council of Lombardy, emergency responses coordinated with the Civil Protection Department (Italy), and health policies interfacing with entities like the Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco.

Administration and government

The office directs an executive cabinet composed of assessors from parties such as Lega, Forza Italia, Fratelli d'Italia or center-left groups like Partito Democratico and technocrats drawn from institutions such as the Politecnico di Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, and private sector stakeholders like Fininvest. Administrative headquarters include Palazzo Lombardia and regional departments coordinate with provincial capitals like Bergamo, Brescia, Varese, Como, and agencies such as the Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente (ARPA Lombardia). The president oversees public services delivered via bodies like Agenzia per la Tutela della Salute (ATS) and manages relations with trade unions such as the CGIL, CISL, and UIL.

List of presidents

Notable officeholders include founders and successors from parties across the Italian spectrum: early presidents after 1970 like Carlo Tognoli and later figures exemplified by Roberto Formigoni, Roberto Maroni, Attilio Fontana and coalition leaders associated with Giulio Tremonti or Silvio Berlusconi. The sequence of presidencies reflects shifts among parties such as Christian Democracy (Italy), Italian Socialist Party, Lega Nord, Forza Italia, and Partito Democratico through electoral cycles like 1995 Italian regional elections, 2005 Italian regional elections, 2013 Italian general election (A regionally relevant event) and 2018 Italian general election.

Political context and controversies

The presidency has been central to controversies involving legal inquiries, administrative investigations by the Guardia di Finanza, corruption cases overseen by the Prosecutor's Office of Milan, conflicts with national figures like Matteo Salvini and Matteo Renzi, and debates on autonomy tied to accords with the Italian State and proposals similar to the 2017 Lombardy autonomy referendum. Political disputes have involved healthcare procurement linked to suppliers such as Aria S.p.A. and media scrutiny from outlets like Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica, and Il Sole 24 Ore.

Symbols and residence

Symbols associated with the office include the Flag of Lombardy, the regional coat of arms displayed at Palazzo Lombardia and events in locations like Piazza della Scala, Città Metropolitana di Milano ceremonies, and institutions such as the Museo del Risorgimento di Milano. The official residence and administrative seat in Milan serves as venue for meetings with delegations from the European Committee of the Regions, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development delegations, and visiting officials from regions such as Catalonia and Bavaria.

Category:Politics of Lombardy Category:Regional presidents of Italy