In August, Georgia Meloni's government approved the construction of the world's longest suspension bridge, which would connect Sicily to the mainland. The project is budgeted at 13.5 billion euros - up to 150 billion kronor.
But on Wednesday, the Court of Auditors, which oversees public spending, stopped the government's approval and the registration of politicians' decisions.
Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy party, denounces the court's decision on X as "yet another infringement on the jurisdiction of the government and parliament."
The debate over a possible bridge across the Strait of Messina has been going on for decades. Some say the bridge would provide an economic boost for impoverished southern Italy. The government also hopes the bridge can be considered a strategic asset and that the cost can be included in the amount Italy – as a member of NATO – has committed to spending on defense.
However, critics fear that the project could become an economic black hole and that the bridge project could negatively impact the environment.
