Transparency (Open Budget Index) 73/100
The Government of Italy provides the public with substantial budget information.
Public Participation 35/100
The Government of Italy is weak in providing the public with opportunities to engage in the budget process.
Budget Oversight
By legislature 79/100
Budget oversight by the legislature in Italy is adequate.
By auditor 67/100
Budget oversight by the supreme audit institution in Italy is adequate.
Recommendations
Improving Transparency
Italy should prioritize the following actions to improve budget transparency:
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Executive’s Budget Proposal by presenting more information on quasi-fiscal activities and contingent liabilities and including a sensitivity analysis on how alternative scenarios of different macroeconomic variables could affect the budget.
- Increase the comprehensiveness of the Year-End Report by presenting more information on planned versus actual debt and interest and on planned versus actual macroeconomic forecasts.
Improving Participation
Italy should prioritize the following actions to improve budget participation:
- Establish credible and effective mechanisms (i.e., public hearings, surveys, focus groups) for capturing a range of public perspectives on budget matters.
- Hold legislative hearings on the budgets of specific ministries, departments, and agencies at which testimony from the public is heard.
- Establish formal mechanisms for the public to assist the supreme audit institution to formulate its audit program and participate in audit investigations.
Improving Oversight
Italy should prioritize the following actions to strengthen budget oversight:
- In both law and practice, ensure the legislature is consulted prior to the spending of contingency funds that were not identified in the Enacted Budget.
- Establish a system of quality control for the supreme audit institution.