The Ministry of Finance and Public Credit announced on March 19 the publication of Decree No. 243 of 2026, which grants governors and mayors in areas affected by the economic, social, and ecological emergency new powers to adopt tax, budgetary, and financial measures.
This decree allows political-administrative bodies in territories impacted by the emergency—declared under Decree 0150 on February 11—to redirect certain non-constitutional earmarked revenues. The aim is to finance necessary expenses for addressing the declared emergency. These powers can be exercised until December 31, 2026, but do not apply to already committed revenues.
During this period, redirected revenues will not count toward freely disposable current income or operating expenses for territorial entities. Additionally, throughout fiscal year 2026, governors and mayors in affected areas are authorized—according to Articles 83 and 84 of the Organic Budget Statute—to make additions, modifications, transfers, and other budget operations as needed solely for executing resources required to address the emergency within their competencies.
The decree also permits affected territorial entities during fiscal year 2026 to contract treasury credits with financial institutions. These credits are intended exclusively to cover temporary cash shortfalls in both operating and investment expenditures caused by revenue declines linked to the crisis that led to the emergency declaration. Such credits cannot exceed 15% of current income for the fiscal year they are contracted and must be repaid with interest and charges before December 31 of the following fiscal year.
These measures are designed to provide local governments with greater flexibility in managing public finances during emergencies while ensuring that redirected funds are used strictly for crisis response.
