With the Italian general election imminent, the mayor or Rome, Walter Veltroni, has written to the leaders of the two political coalitions, Romano Prodi of L'Ulivo and Silvio Berlusconi of the Casa delle Libert asking whoever wins the election to increase funding for the capital. He reminded both leaders that other Italian cities receive 310 per person in state funding annually whereas Rome receives 288 per person.

Romano Prodi of L'Ulivo has assured the city, regional and provincial authorities that if his coalition wins the coming election, Rome will have legislative autonomy by the end of 2006 and more money for the metro, for regional railway lines and airports and for important archaeological sites.