Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000615/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Gaetano Pedulla’ (The Left), Danilo Della Valle (The Left)
The A22 motorway (the ‘Autobrennero’) is of strategic importance for mobility in Europe. It is currently operated by Autostrada del Brennero S.p.A., a primarily state-owned company whose main shareholders are local authorities. After the concession expired in 2014, its automatic renewal was blocked and a tender procedure opened to find a new concessionaire.
The current call for tender includes a pre-emption clause for the Autobrennero. However, the terms and criteria set cast doubt on the likelihood that operational continuity of the infrastructure will be assured. There is a risk of the concession winding up in the hands of private operators, sidelining local authorities from the company’s governance.
In light of this:
- 1.Can the Commission state the factors it considered and procedure it followed when formulating the opinion it was asked to give on the compatibility of the right of pre-emption granted in the tender with EU principles?
- 2.To what extent might this opinion impact the tender for the concession, and what are the possible repercussions in the event of a verdict of incompatibility with EU rules?
- 3.Given the strategic importance of the A22 and the need to ensure that the goals of sustainable mobility, decarbonisation and the protection of public health are pursued, is there any scope for an in-house award of the concession to a fully public company?
Submitted: 11.2.2025