"Regional budgets, clear improvements." The Court of Auditors gives the green light to the 2021 financial statement, the 2 billion surplus is approaching.

The clock had broken. But now the hands have started moving again, in search of the lost time amid causes, appeals, and tensions. Yesterday, the Control Section of the Court of Auditors, led by Maria Rachele Aronica, partially approved the 2021 financial statement, effectively accepting the request of the Attorney General at the regional appellate jurisdiction, Romeo Palma, and taking a step forward towards the release of a surplus of about 2.3 billion for the Sicilian Region.

Of course, the clock that has moved still misses a few beats. The approval is partial, indeed. And the list of budget items considered irregular is long. But in the words of the Section President, there is a sense of the progress made: "It cannot be overlooked – said the accounting magistrate - that there is a significantly improved situation,” of the budget components of the Region, “a sign of great commitment from the regional administration in the virtuous path it has undertaken, also taking into account the indications of this Court." Words collected directly from the President of the Region Renato Schifani, present at the public hearing: "The recovery of finances and the path to overcoming the disputes with the Court of Auditors regarding the results of previous years continues – commented the governor. We are approaching decisions that will allow us to certify the clear improvement of regional public finances. The Region is increasingly financially solid and is ready to allocate resources for development."

The next appointment is set for May, when, almost certainly, the financial statements for 2022 and 2023 will be examined jointly. An acceleration towards normalcy, which will be achieved with the green light for the 2024 financial statement and, with that, the release of the administrative surplus of over two billion.

"The decision for partial approval leaves us very satisfied - comments the Economic Councillor Alessandro Dagnino - As soon as the reasons are filed, we will proceed with the preparation and approval in the council of the financial statement bill. The corrections requested by the accounting magistrates will be incorporated and will not affect the available resources, in light of the positive results achieved in subsequent financial statements. The mission now is to allocate to the community the resources that will be freed up already in part, for about 250 million, with the approval of the 2022 financial statement and in full measure, for an additional 2 billion, with the approval of the 2024 financial statement which recorded the historic transition from deficit to surplus."