MILANO – “Today is just the beginning. The biggest challenge now is the implementation of the plan. The important thing is that these funds are all spent and spent well, effectively and honestly”. These are the words of the Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, at the conference with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in Cinecittà, during which the ‘green light’ of the European executive to the Italian Pnrr was made official. “I would like to thank the president for being here with us in Rome. Her visit marks the approval by the Pnrr commission. It is a day of pride for our country”, began Draghi, claiming to have “put together a plan. of ambitious reforms that make the country fairer and more competitive “. The premier added: “The Italian plan that we have called” Italy tomorrow “fully responds to the impulses of the Commission”.
“Thanks Mario”, von der Leyen said in Italian, taking the floor and defining the moment “special for Italy and for the European Union, as well as for the vaccination campaign that is going as fast as the Italian team”. Citing Fellini and La Dolce Vita, art and culture “hard hit by the pandemic”, the president added: “I am here today to say that you have the full support of the European Commission”.
Pnrr, the figures and key measures that convinced the EU Commission
Before delivering the positive judgment, von der Leyen remarked that the PNRR “meets the European criteria”, is an “ambitious and far-sighted plan”. On the next steps, he detailed: “Once approved by the Council in the next four weeks, we will be ready to disburse the first funds. It is the beginning of an implementation that will be tough, we will have to work hard and the Commission will be next to it. you step by step. A stronger Italy makes Europe stronger “. And the plan will make it possible to “make Italy the engine of growth in Europe”.
Responding to questions from the press, in particular on the possibility of making the Next Generation Eu a structural program, Draghi confirmed his ideas: “If the implementation of the NRP is successful, I am sure that some parts of the effort made by the EU countries and the commission will remain structural. It is a great responsibility that we have. ” As for the Italian reform program, Draghi announced that “in days” there will be the reform of justice in the CDM, then that “by the month of June we will present a draft law for the reform of contracts and concessions. it will be the reform of competition “.
President von der Leyen also touched on the issue of the Vatican’s protest over the Zan bill. “You are talking about a bill and we do not comment – he answered a reporter’s question – In general, I would like to emphasize that the EU treaties protect the diversity, dignity, of every single human being. And they protect freedom of expression. “. Prime Minister Draghi, acknowledging that it is “an important question”, explained that he will answer for a long time tomorrow in Parliament.
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Since the eve of the official appointment to give the “green light” to the Italian Plan, the Brussels report card had emerged which promoted Rome’s work on the NRP, ensuring Italy an advance of 25 billion euros in resources by July. Only a first part of the 191.5 billion that will gradually flow into the country until 2026, allowing for the unblocking of the reforms and investments that will change the economy and society forever. To which are added, again, 30.6 billion allocated with the National Fund complementary to the NRP, and another 13 billion from the React Eu program, for a total of 235 billion.
As for other countries (the approvals for Germany also arrived on the day, with 25.6 billion in grants, and for Latvia, from 1.8 billion), all “A”, the highest marks, with the only exception of a “B” relating to the cost item.
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For the Commission “it represents a balanced and complete response to the economic and social situation”, and “contributes effectively to addressing the challenges identified by the specific recommendations” of the EU. It also “strengthens growth potential, job creation, and economic, social and institutional resilience”. Furthermore, the measures “do not cause damage” to the environmental objectives of the EU, that is, they do not contradict each other, and contribute effectively to both the energy and digital transition.
They will also have a “lasting impact” on Italy which has also managed to ensure “effective monitoring” of the implementation of the plan. The anti-fraud control mechanism is also judged to be effective. Finally, all the measures of the NRP are “consistent”. In all these aspects, defined by the Recovery Fund regulation, Italy is assigned an A. The only B concerns the item ‘Costs’, as for all other countries. In fact, no one was able to comply with the strict indications on the definition of the ‘Costing’ of the measures, and therefore the estimates were mostly based on the costs of similar measures, as in the case of the Italian NRP. Brussels then notes that the plan is “well aligned” with the Green Deal, with 37% of measures aimed at climate transition, including energy efficiency projects for buildings (Superbonus) and to foster competition in the gas and electricity market. . On the other hand, 25% of the plan is dedicated to digital, with measures for the digitalization of businesses, tax incentives for the 4.0 transition, broadband and support for research and innovation.
With the Commission’s approval, the challenge of implementation now begins. “Keeping Italy’s commitments” on the PNRR “will be fundamental, but also difficult”, but “there are favorable conditions with a large parliamentary majority led by the right man at the right time, namely Mario Draghi”, said the Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni speaking at an event organized in Taormina as part of the G20. The timetable is rigid, and the government is already thinking about the first deadlines. “At the end of the month we will approve the anti-corruption and transparency rules”, said the Minister of Public Administration Renato Brunetta, anticipating what the CDM will have to approve by the end of the month, that is the draft law delegating the anti-corruption and transparency and competition rules envisaged by the calendar of the Pnrr.
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