The Special Statute of Autonomy

The Aosta Valley is not an Italian region like the others. Since 1948 it has been an autonomous region with a special statute. It runs on a founding text: the Special Statute, adopted by Constitutional Law no. 4 of 26 February 1948 and amended since, notably in 2001.

An autonomous region

The first article sets out the principle: the Aosta Valley is an autonomous region with legal personality, within the unity of the Italian Republic. Its capital is Aosta.

What the Region decides for itself

The Statute gives the Region real law-making power. In some fields it makes its own laws, within the Constitution and international obligations: agriculture and forests, local police, tourism and landscape protection, vocational training, mountain guides and ski schools, for example.

In other fields it adapts state laws to local conditions: industry and trade, regional and municipal finances, and nursery, primary and lower secondary schools. The Region also carries out the administrative functions that go with these powers.

Its own property and resources

The Statute transferred to the Region much of the state property on its territory, as well as public water used for irrigation and drinking. Public waters are also granted to it free of charge for 99 years.

For its finances, the Region receives a share of the state taxes collected on its territory and can levy its own taxes. It also receives nine tenths of the fees from state hydroelectric concessions: no small matter in a valley full of dams and power stations.

French on an equal footing with Italian

This is one of its most visible features. French has equal status with Italian: public documents may be drafted in either language, except court decisions, which are in Italian. At school, French has as many hours as Italian, and some subjects may be taught in French.

The Statute also protects the German-speaking Walser communities of the Lys valley, who have the right to German teaching and to the protection of their traditions.

A text amended with care

The Statute has constitutional status. Amending it follows the procedure for constitutional laws, and the Council of the Valley must be consulted. To implement it, the State adopts decrees drafted by a six-member joint commission: three appointed by the government and three by the Council of the Valley.

Source: Special Statute for the Aosta Valley, consolidated text, Autonomous Region of the Aosta Valley.