The Italian government has abandoned its proposal to award the national Intercity rail service through a single consolidated lot, following direct intervention from the European Commission.
The Chamber of Deputies approved a revised amendment to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) decree, removing the reference to a unified tender structure that had previously been under consideration.
This policy reversal resolves a standoff with EU regulators, who had flagged the single-lot approach as potentially non-compliant with European public procurement directives.
By dismantling the monolithic tender design, Rome aims to ensure the upcoming competition adheres to strict state aid and market access rules, avoiding further legal challenges or funding delays.
The shift significantly alters the strategic calculus for rail operators eyeing the Italian market.
A fragmented tender structure, rather than a single national contract, is likely to encourage broader participation from both domestic and international competitors, potentially lowering costs and increasing service diversity.