L'esercizio associato delle funzioni e dei servizi comunali. Profili costituzionali

Municipal cooperation has been considered by the Constitutional Court in several perspectives: as a substantive issue; as an organisational one; as an aspect of local government; as an opportunity to rationalise administrative expenditure. Also other constitutional viewpoints can be adopted: since national legislation is competent to define the fundamental functions of local bodies, may it also require that smaller municipalities cooperate in exercising these functions? How, and to which extent, may the duty of cooperation be imposed by law, without depriving municipalities of the hard core of their autonomy? The essay investigates these issues and questions in the light of constitutional case law and literature.