Island autonomy
Sardinia enjoys a special status conferred by a constitutional law dating back to 1948. This gives it the power to legislate exclusively in certain fields (local government, town planning, agriculture, industry and commerce, tourism, land transport, water and forestry, hunting and fishing) or to reinforce the State's legal arsenal in other areas (health, public assistance). It enjoys considerable financial autonomy, and can withhold up to 70% of income tax, 90% of registration fees and 50% of inheritance tax. Sardinians elect their representatives to the Regional Council (legislative assembly), as well as the President of the Region, every 5 years. The executive power is held by a regional junta. Some ten exclusively Sardinian parties are represented. They represent cultural and political sensitivities ranging from reinforced regionalism to total independence. A recent survey carried out by the University of Cagliari shows that two-thirds of the population feel both Sardinian and Italian. This suggests that the integration of Sardinia as an autonomous region within Italy would suit the islanders. The latest elections in February 2024 were won by the Center-Left coalition, confirming Alessandra Todde, the 5-Star Movement candidate supported by the Democratic Party, as the first woman to lead the autonomous region of Sardinia. This victory was a political turning point and a real setback for the Right. But above all, it was a new wind that blew across the island.
The main resources
Sardinia has a long-standing agricultural tradition. Agriculture, livestock farming and fishing form the island's economic base. In some regions, plant nurseries, vineyards, olive groves and orchards stretch for miles. The region produces mainly durum wheat, rice and potatoes. Secondary crops include artichokes, cardoons, broad beans, endives, radishes and sugar beet. Livestock farming is of great importance, and Sardinians are very attached to their herds. Almost a million goats and 4 million sheep graze on the island's plateaus. To support this activity, the region receives numerous subsidies, especially in the eastern part of the island. The production of goat's milk and cheese is also encouraged. Most recently, to combat the depopulation and loss of skills that have plagued the agricultural sector for several years, there is currently talk of the island soon welcoming around 100 Kyrgyz shepherds (and their families). An agreement has been signed between this country and an association of Sardinian farmers. As for fishing, it is mainly practiced in ponds and river mouths. Sea fishing, a practice introduced by Sicilians in the early 20th century, mainly takes tuna, squid, octopus and shellfish.
Tourism is the island's second economic mainstay. It has been growing steadily since the 1960s, and really took off in the 1990s. Infrastructure - both in terms of reception facilities and of how to get to the island - has multiplied. Sardinia welcomes 10 million visitors a year, 80% of whom visit the island in July and August. Among foreign visitors, German tourists are the most numerous, followed by Spaniards and Russians. 95% of visitors enjoy the beaches, especially those on the Costa Smeralda and around Cagliari. The province of Sassari alone receives 50% of tourists. As for heavy industry, the picture is much bleaker. For a long time, Sardinia lived from the exploitation of its mining resources. But this collapsed in the 1990s, and today the mines are visited like archaeological relics. In the 1960s, the island took a gamble on the chemical industry and developed industrial zones, notably around Porto Torres. But when the chemical sector collapsed for global reasons, Sardinia once again found itself struggling. Since then, Sardinia has invested heavily in the renewable energy sector, particularly in wind power and photovoltaics. But these investments remain controversial, and many environmental movements are opposed to large-scale solar and wind farms.
Perspectives and issues
Politically, Sardinia seems to have found a stable consensus that sees it swing from center-left to center-right coalitions with each passing election. Today, Sardinian politicians are mainly seeking to get rid of the intense Italian and NATO military presence, which has many large bases. But the major challenge remains the industrialization of the island to promote development and reduce unemployment in the long term. Today, 23% of the island's population is unemployed, compared with 7.4% (2023 figures) nationwide. This is three times higher, and the rate soars when it comes to young people, reaching 45%. Agriculture is struggling to renew its archaic, unprofitable production model, and to introduce irrigation systems that would enable it to increase its surface area and productivity. As a result, the sector attracts few young people, despite the possibility of adding value to production by obtaining quality labels. Pecorino cheese, olive oil and saffron all benefit from PDO labels. Tourism, with its highly seasonal nature, cannot alone absorb Sardinia's surplus workforce. The authorities are working hard to promote the island's historical and cultural potential, by developing the numerous archaeological sites and important monuments (nuraghes and Romanesque churches in particular). Beyond the strict preservation of heritage, the aim is to attract a more diversified clientele, likely to be interested in regions other than the coastal strip and willing to visit outside the summer season. The Covid-19 pandemic shows that Sardinia's economy cannot rely almost entirely on its tourism industry. The tourism industry bore the full brunt of the first acute phase of the epidemic. The Banca d'Italia, on the other hand, takes a positive view of the drive to develop renewable energies. Reduced dependence on coal could not only reduceCO2 emissions, but also increase Sardinian productivity in the medium term. However, this will not be enough to balance the island's trade balance, which is largely in deficit and covered by national solidarity. The island imports far more than it exports, especially manufactured goods, and the lack of diversification of its economy can only reduce the independence ambitions of some. However, Sardinia is betting that it can become a model region in Europe in terms of energy self-sufficiency and waste collection. Over the last ten years, the island has established itself as Italy's second most virtuous region in terms of waste collection and sorting. The new government can only agree.
