‘A turning point in Europe to save the industry’

The starting point in this direction must be energy itself, envisaging a transition based on realistic targets and sustainable timelines, diversifying sources without ruling out any solution from the outset, and addressing the issue of nuclear power without prejudice. The ultimate aim is to create a European market that transcends national borders, ultimately ensuring more competitive prices. In general, Ferraroni explains how it is essential to combine environmental and economic sustainability: ‘without this balance, we are condemning our continent to an inexorable decline’.

These are critical and significant issues that need to be addressed, and in light of this, the budget under discussion – amounting to 2,000 billion – appears inadequate, given that the resources must be commensurate with the ambitions and challenges that this historic moment demands. ‘The risk,’ he explains, ‘is that, once again, political short-sightedness and national interests will take precedence over the urgent need to make decisions, condemning Europe to inaction precisely when it most needs to act.’

On the subject of resource management, Ferraroni echoes the view expressed by many of Confindustria’s regional branches, which view with concern the prospect of national centralisation in the management of cohesion funds. “The regions,” he explains, “must continue to play a decisive and direct role in setting priorities for their own territories, because only those with first-hand knowledge of local conditions are able to make appropriate and timely decisions.”

Italia, meanwhile, in light of the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence, is being called upon to step up its efforts in the field of technology, by planning at a public level the digital and energy infrastructure needed to support a transformation that is revolutionising production processes.

According to the most recent studies, it is estimated that 27 per cent of the hours currently worked in Europe could be automated; on the other hand, the rapid adoption of new technologies could contribute to productivity growth of up to 3 per cent per annum.

Whilst, on the one hand, businesses must ensure they are prepared by investing in technology and making training a strategic priority, the public sector is called upon to create a favourable external environment in terms of the necessary infrastructure.

On a day when Istat reports that GDP has stagnated in the third quarter and inflation has surged to 5.4 per cent year-on-year, the hope is that the Budget Bill will move in this direction – a serious, balanced and forward-looking piece of legislation that ‘does not seek immediate consensus but has the courage to envisage, where necessary, even unpopular decisions, and is able to rise above the interests of individual groups’.

‘Because governing,’ he explains, ‘means thinking not about the next elections but about future generations.’

‘The future isn’t something we wait for,’ concludes Ferraroni, ‘but something we build. And to build it, we must have the courage to make decisions and take action. Right now, because tomorrow will already be too late.’

The meeting was brought to a close by Raffaele Fitto, Commissioner for Regional and Cohesion Policy, who identified dialogue and mediation as the way forward to ensure Europe functions as effectively as possible. “It is not enough, nor is it helpful, to say that everything is going wrong,” explains Fitto, “but let us instead try to understand, given the current circumstances, how we can take action to improve the situation.” Compromise solutions are called for, for example, regarding the EU budget, with the Commission’s proposal of 2,000 billion, which is opposed by a ‘downward-revising’ stance taken by certain Member States, led by Germany.

As far as the management of cohesion funds is concerned, Fitto believes there is no risk of centralisation, because the primary aim of the reform proposal is simplification. “We currently have 500 spending programmes,” he explains, “and in future there will be 27 national plans.”

Fitto also welcomes the Commission’s new proposal to review the mechanisms of the ETS system, with a ‘clearer and less rigid’ trajectory and more free allowances: in short, a significant effort to revise these rules.

The underlying idea, therefore, is to work towards unity by finding common ground. And to do so – explains Fitto – ‘it is clear that the position of a single country cannot be that of Europe as a whole’.