On behalf of the Campione d’Italia Citizens’ Committee, bearing 1 605 signatures, against the inclusion of the municipality of Campione d’Italia in the EU customs territory and in support of its continued status as Swiss territory 

The petitioner describes the specific geographical and legal situation of Campione d’Italia. This Italian exclave is administratively attached to the Province of Como and politically forms part of Italy, even though it lies wholly on Swiss territory. He points out that, for customs purposes, this municipality has always been considered Swiss territory both under the relevant Swiss regulations and in consuetudinary international law. The petitioner considers that the recent Directive (EU) 2019/475, which has included both the Italian municipality of Campione d’Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano in the EU customs territory, is unlawful and unacceptable. Directive 2008/118/EC on excise duty also applies to this territory. The petitioner is concerned about being left without essential public services (health care, ambulances, fire brigade, waste collection and disposal, transport, post, telephones/Internet, sewerage, and road maintenance), which Switzerland alone is in a position to provide, given that, physically, Campione d’Italia is completely separated from the rest of Italy. He also argues that the change is unlawful in international terms because it was not first agreed with Switzerland and the Canton of Ticino and fears Swiss retaliation against the local population because of this.