Business · Economy · 13 hrs ago
Piedmont governor says region faces economic strains similar to southern Italy
Piedmont governor Alberto Cirio said his region faces economic strains like parts of southern Italy during a debate in Naples.
He pointed to the crisis in Piedmont’s car industry, which affects jobs and incomes alongside the region’s stronger industries.
Cirio said economic hardship is not limited to the South, and that some southern areas fare better than parts of the North.
He argued that North-South stereotypes do not help identify solutions to problems that cross regional boundaries.
Cirio also defended differentiated autonomy, describing it as a way to make regional leaders responsible for their decisions, not a demand for more power.
Piedmont has signed an initial autonomy agreement with Lombardy, Veneto and Liguria, but Parliament’s final approval is still needed to complete the process.
Piedmont Governor Alberto Cirio said the region faces economic difficulties in its car industry that resemble those in many parts of southern Italy.
He made the remarks during a debate in Naples at the closing day of the Casa Corriere Festival.
Cirio said the automotive sector is in crisis and that manufacturing accounts for a third of Piedmont residents’ wages.
He argued that the familiar division between a wealthy North and a South needing help no longer reflects conditions across Italy.
Cirio also defended differentiated autonomy, describing it as a way to increase regional responsibility rather than seek more powers.
- Who
- Alberto Cirio, president of the Piedmont Region.
- What
- He said Piedmont’s automotive difficulties are similar to those in many areas of southern Italy. He also argued against a simple North-South economic divide.
- When
- During the closing day of the Casa Corriere Festival. The article was published on 9 November 2026.
- Where
- At a debate in Naples, Italy.
- Why
- He cited the crisis in Piedmont’s automotive industry and said economic difficulties affect areas in both northern and southern Italy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Corriere della Sera published its report on Cirio’s remarks.
Cirio spoke at the debate “Italy, North and South: Let’s Speak Clearly” in Naples.
- Speaker
- Alberto Cirio, president of the Piedmont Region
- Location
- Naples, Italy
- Industry cited
- Automotive
- Manufacturing share
- Pays a third of Piedmont residents’ wages
- Autonomy agreements
- Piedmont signed an agreement alongside Lombardy, Veneto and Liguria
- Parliamentary step
- Final approval is still needed to complete the differentiated autonomy process
What people are saying
the difficulties of Piedmont in the car sector are no different from the difficulties of many areas of southern Italy
It is necessary to overcome that stereotyped difference whereby the North is rich, doing well and functioning, and the South must be helped
The difficulties of everyday life are now experienced by everyone
It is not a request to have more powers, but a request to have more responsibility