Commissioner Micallef, in a written answer on 18 June 2026, told MEP Danilo Della Valle (The Left) that the European Commission has no authority to challenge Italy's decision to strip the Vesuvian Villa Pignatelli of its cultural heritage protection, even if that decision was based on the site's dilapidated state. The answer, responding to a question submitted on 11 March 2026, reaffirms that cultural heritage protection remains a national responsibility under Article 167 TFEU, and that the Commission's role is limited to supporting and supplementing Member States' actions through programmes such as the European Heritage Label, European Heritage Days, and European Heritage Awards.
The Commission's response offers no concrete measures to address the specific case of Villa Pignatelli or to prevent similar interpretations by national courts. Micallef noted that the site did not receive any European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) financing, and that the Commission encourages Member States to follow ICOMOS quality principles for EU-funded interventions, but cannot enforce them under shared management. The answer provides no timeline for any follow-up action, leaving the matter entirely in Italian hands.
For stakeholders, the answer confirms a limited EU role: national authorities retain full discretion over protected status, even when conservation obligations under Article 3 TEU and Article 167 TFEU are invoked. This may disappoint heritage advocates seeking EU-level safeguards against legal interpretations that could undermine cultural protection. Conversely, it reassures Member States that heritage policy remains a national competence, avoiding EU interference in domestic judicial decisions. The answer does not address the potential impact on EU-funded conservation projects under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), nor does it signal any intention to review the compatibility of Italy's approach with EU treaty obligations.