Abstract
On 29 January 2026, Italy’s Council of State, the country’s highest administrative court, handed down a judgment that reinforces the principle of bilingualism for public officials in South Tyrol. In its final judgment no. 896/2026, the court held that promotion procedures within the Carabinieri, Italy’s military police force exercising general police powers, must comply with the province’s bilingualism rules for public services. More specifically, it found that bilingual candidates are entitled to reserved posts even in internal competitions for higher ranks, including that of colonel (“colonnello”).