MEP Pina Picierno (S&D) has asked the European Commission to assess whether Italy's plan to build a repatriation centre (CPR) in Castel Volturno, within the La Piana Wetland Park, violates EU territorial cohesion and environmental law. The Italian government allocated EUR 41 million for the centre in an area already suffering from weak infrastructure, poor services, and social vulnerability, according to the MEP.
The parliamentary question, submitted on 24 April 2026 under Rule 144, targets two specific legal concerns. First, Picierno questions whether the investment aligns with the territorial cohesion objectives of Articles 174-176 TFEU and the partnership principle of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, given the region's acute need for basic services rather than detention infrastructure. Second, she asks whether the project underwent an environmental impact assessment under the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC), as the site is classified as a Site of Community Importance or Special Protection Area within the Natura 2000 network.
Policy orientation and expected follow-up
Picierno's question signals a push to limit national discretion in using EU cohesion funds for migration enforcement, prioritising social investment over detention. The Commission typically replies within six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it views the project as compatible with EU regional and environmental rules. A critical response could pressure Italy to reconsider the location or conduct further assessments, while a supportive answer would greenlight the project under current frameworks.