Orsini: 'Maybe we need to change who is governing us in Europe'

"It is logical that if the conflict continues it becomes a problem, we start having problems finding products on the shelves in Sicily and with flights. So doing business is really complicated. I am amazed that Europe is not seeing this and does not have measures ready, that we are still talking about state aid and not public debt. Even today the euro-dollar exchange rate is 1.16, this short-sightedness frightens me, perhaps we need to change who is governing us in Europe'. This was said by Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini on the sidelines of the conference 'Genoa and Liguria, capitals of the sea economy 2026'.

"The true theme is uncertainty and instability," Orsini said, "every day we fight with what no one wants, we need to have open markets, we need to be able to go to the markets, for us the Gulf is worth 32 billion in trade with a positive balance of 11.3 billion, so it is obvious that losing such important areas means that investments are not grounded. The instability, we still do not have the executive order from the United States, for us a 65 billion market,' Orsini said, 'so the uncertainty means that investments are not grounded, we need to act very quickly to ground the hyper depreciation because I believe it is a way to give the country an overboost, our entrepreneurs are expecting it.

"Let's hope that we will soon reach a negotiation in the Gulf because if we continue with the conflict and with this instability we will certainly go into recession. The Centro Studi di Confindustria said it almost three weeks ago: if the war ends quickly we are at a plus 0.5% of Italy's GDP in 2026, if we get to four months after the conflict we are at zero, stagnation, and it is logical that if the conflict continues it becomes a problem'. This is how Orsini commented on the IMF's warning about the risk of recession in the EU with inflation at 5% if the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz continue.

"Germany has deliberated 26 billion to support the increase in energy costs. Italia if it stays within the 3% of GDP deficit ratio established by the Stability Pact 26 billion does not have it, so competitiveness between us and European countries is lacking. Never mind China and the United States, but at home in Europe today we do not have the same competitiveness, today the cost of energy in Spain is 40 euros per megawatt hour, Italia is at 160 euros per megawatt hour, where are we going?" emphasised Orsini. 'I am in favour of renewables, let's speed them up, but let's start by understanding which areas in Italia are suitable for putting photovoltaic and wind power on the ground. - urges Orsini - Because if we don't, every mayor for a photovoltaic and wind farm already has a committee in defence of the little bird under the town hall. On the one hand we want cheap energy, on the other we don't want photovoltaics and wind power. Let's fix the suitable areas and start making the installations for renewables'.

Interviewed during the conference, the president of Confindustria highlighted the importance of dialogue between the protagonists of Italian politics. 'I believe,' he said, 'that at a time like this all political parties, in a responsible manner, must think only of one thing: the good of the country. And the good of Italia is done by building some measures that serve our country. With what is happening around us, it is not the time to think of entering an election campaign, of having a permanent election campaign year,' said the industrialists' number one, emphasising that 'we need stability, we have been asking for a long time to have an industrial plan for the country. We cannot think of scrapping an industrial plan every day, we need it to have a reputation and to continue to be what we are, an excellence in the world'. Orsini emphasised that Confindustria, for its part, is there: 'We are getting involved, we will play our part, we are also meeting with the unions, we are working together on some chapters. On some we agree, on some we do not, but Confindustria will certainly be there,' he said.