Extension of bathing concessions only until December 2023 “in order to avoid the significant socio-economic impact that would derive from an immediate and generalized forfeiture of all existing concessions”. This was established by the Council of State. The decision taken by the plenary meeting of the Council of State follows the hearings on 20 October. “From the following day, however, there will be no possibility of further extension, not even by way of legislation, and the sector will still be open to competition rules”, states the Council of State.
Only a few days ago, with its provision on competition, the issue of liberalization of bathing concessions was not resolved by the government, an area in which a conflict with the European Union on the internal market is pending. And now, as is credited by some sources in the executive, changes could be prepared in acceptance (perhaps partial) of the findings made by the judges.
Offer of best quality and safety
With judgments nos. 17 and 18 published today, the plenary meeting of the Council of State, underlining the exceptional attractiveness of the national coastal heritage “, affirmed that the persistent absence (despite the repeated announcements of a legislative reform intervention, but never implemented) of an organic national regulation of state-owned maritime concessions generates a situation of serious conflict with the rules to protect competition imposed by EU law, because it allows automatic and generalized extensions of the current concessions (the last, moreover, of an abnormal duration, up to as of December 31, 2033), thus preventing anyone who wants to enter the sector from doing so.
According to the Council of State – reads a press release – the competition, in addition to being imposed by EU law, “is extremely valuable for guaranteeing citizens a management of the coastal national heritage and a related offer of more efficient and better public services. quality and safety, being able to contribute significantly to economic growth and, above all, to the recovery of the investments that the country needs “.
No possibility of extension
The current dealers will still be able to participate in the tenders that will have to be announced. To allow the PA to “undertake as of now the operations functional to the call for tender procedures”, to “allow the Government and Parliament to dutifully approve legislation that can finally […] to regulate the issue of state-owned concessions in accordance with EU law “, as well as to avoid the social and economic impact of the decision, the current concessions may continue until 31 December 2023.