Italians demand more commitment on migrants and fiscal union

From the Green Deal to the NextgenerationEU to ReArm Europe (redefined as European Defence), there are several of the most recent strategic policies developed by the EU. Considering the Italians' point of view on which aspects the European institution's action is most needed in the near future, interesting indications emerge that highlight the country's sensitivities.

At the top of the ranking surveyed (Community Research&Analysis for Federmeccanica) we find the issue that in recent years has been one of Italy's main stumbling blocks within Europe: the issue of managing migrant flows. This is the aspect that respondents indicate as a priority in EU policies (71.6%). It is followed more detachedly, but still marked by significant relevance, by other policies considered important. First of all, greater homogeneity of tax regimes at European level (67.4%), a common energy policy (66.9%) and greater coordination of industrial policies (63.1%). The economic competition that exists even within the EU, the energy issue that emerged with great force with the start of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, and a coordinated industrial policy that manages to jointly face the wars of tariffs and competitor countries (see the events related to the automotive industry, the green transition and so on) make these issues a priority in the actions to be taken.

There are also other areas of importance, but which are perceived to be less decisive or, in any case, more controversial. Due to the war conflicts on Europe's doorstep, the topic of security policy and the building of a common army is considered important (64.2%), but with a significant share of disagreement (16.9%). Likewise, the commitment to a common foreign policy (58.7%) is equally central, but not a few see it as crucial (13.5%). In the same position are two other strategic lines such as the construction of a more homogeneous welfare and labour market model (60.4%) and a more coordinated trade policy at continental level (58.7%).

Last but not least, the prospect of further enlargement to other EU candidate countries is divisive in the opinion of Italians. In this case, respondents are evenly divided between those who consider further inclusion processes necessary (34.1%), on the one hand, and, on the other, those who express a clear opposite opinion (33.2%).

It is worth emphasising how the 'eurosceptics' and 'anti-euro' (see the previous instalment published in Il Sole 24 Ore of 8 April), despite the perplexity and opposition expressed, on the subject of European policies to be implemented are not so distant from those who view the EU more favourably ('euroconvinced' and 'euro-enthusiasts'). Looking at the different policies proposed, for almost all 'euro-sceptics' the 50% threshold of those who consider it very and very important to pursue different policies is exceeded. To a lesser extent, but similarly for the 'anti-euro'. Only one point marks a significant difference: the question of further enlargement to other countries.