Speeches

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, in order to defend European consumers, we need a strong Europe capable of competing in the major global markets, into which China, for example, is entering with new models of development. Believing in the potential of each Member State, managing the legislative formula of the green transition with responsibility and common sense, is the first important step in recognising a pragmatic and realistic approach to environmental change processes. The consumer, therefore, is not considered a mere user to whom to charge costs of policies green too stringent, but a strategic actor for the economic development of society. Rather, Europe must aim at the development of an economy modelled on the expectations and needs of families and workers, because we cannot forget the importance that Europe and the Member States have played in promoting economic development in recent decades; the contributions they have made to the emancipation of humanity from living conditions to the limits of subsistence; the successes they have achieved in establishing a model of social protection for consumers which is still unparalleled in the world. This is the Europe we aspire to, this is the Europe that does the good of consumers.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to reiterate a concept that remains our polar star and that President Meloni made clear at the Dubai conference: The planet and Europe need an ecological transition, not an ideological one. Our idea is that, if we want to be credible towards the environmental imbalance affecting future generations and if we want environmental sustainability that does not compromise the economic and social sphere, we cannot give up a technological neutrality approach that is free from radicalism and that aims to strengthen markets. COP28 must be a turning point; This is why we share reasonable and concrete policies and actions, such as implementing renewable energy generation capacities and increasing the overall rate of energy efficiency improvement. In our view, the transition from fossil fuels enshrined in the recent resolution must be accompanied by an energy and climate plan focusing on biofuels, nuclear and hydrogen. The model that we suggest to follow is that of the "Mattei plan" of the Italian government, in which energy is precisely one of the pillars for the development of the continent.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I am addressing this House with the awareness that the positions on environmental policies adopted by Europe are a cause for divergence, but the objective to which we must aim through our political action is to restore a more sustainable planet to the new generations. And it is precisely for this reason that man must be at the centre of an economic strategy that does not sacrifice the vision of development that the Member States need to face the great challenges that this complex historical context poses. A European law for zero-emission industry can be shared to the extent that it does not constitute stringent perimeters because, while it is true that we are in favour of decarbonisation paths, it is equally true that we do not accept, on the spur of an ideological fury, risky choices that can compromise the social fabric in our community. The ETS Directive could teach something, but I also think that the Net-Zero Industries initiative could be a concrete response to block the risk of strong industrial relocation overseas, due to the parallel US IRA law that provides for a doping of state funding for energy companies. green. I therefore reiterate that we can no longer postpone the possibility of a European Sovereignty Fund that is suitable for avoiding the fragmentation of the single market but above all essential to avoid the risks of weakening European cohesion.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, STEP is looking to the future because it will allow Europe to channel funding to technological sectors that are crucial for its leadership and for strengthening the single market. It is a platform that will support the development and production of surplus value in the Union from the perspective of innovative digital technologies and biotechnologies, reducing and preventing strategic dependencies on other non-EU states. In the current geopolitical context, the planned investments will help Europe develop a comprehensive approach to commonly identify, assess and manage risks to energy security, the supply and distribution chain and energy security. cybersecurity, and for the physical security of critical infrastructure. For us, the platform is going in the right direction, which is to make the European economic fabric more competitive with the Member States. competitor international, including through the necessary flexibility provided for in the use of cohesion resources, which would allow regions in transition and in the development trap to be able to revitalise their economy and increase employment levels. Our hope is that STEP can only be the first step towards the establishment of a European sovereign wealth fund, as announced by President von der Leyen, because only through this instrument could we intercept the appropriate resources and address the challenges of the transition. green and digital, without increasing disparities and favouring some countries to the detriment of others.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, revising the MFF means giving a new vision to the political objectives that Europe sets itself in the coming years. In the light of the new context, strongly stressed by the continuous rise in rates and the conflict in Ukraine, we ask the Commission to dare more on three crucial points of the framework, for which courage is needed and the awareness that these are decisive steps for Europe's economic and social resilience. There is no doubt that the war in Ukraine has had serious repercussions on countries experiencing greater poverty, such as Africa. We therefore call for more resources to be directed to immigration policies, both to respond to the strong pressures of social and geopolitical stability of North African countries, and to mitigate and govern flows that risk heavily affecting border territories, such as Italy. We also demand that the revision includes more resources on the flexibility mechanism, through which it would be easier to mobilise cohesion funds, for example, and ensure more competitiveness for the economy and markets of the Member States. Finally, we welcome the focus on the investment capacity for the new STEP platform, because without this approach it is difficult to project oneself into the challenges to which Europe is called.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, allow me first of all to address, in this important Chamber, a heartfelt thought for the passing of Silvio Berlusconi, President and founder of Forza Italia. His personality has marked the history of our country. A visionary who has been able to interpret the values of freedom as the cornerstone of his professional and political commitment. The Italian and European centre-right owe him a lot. My sincere closeness to his family, Forza Italia colleagues and EPP colleagues. Commissioner, as far as competition policy is concerned, it must be able to safeguard the global competitiveness of our European companies and, at the same time, make a strong contribution to defending and protecting the well-being of consumers, the community and the most vulnerable. In order to achieve these objectives, it is clear that European standards must be concrete and realistic, with consumer protection always at the centre. In addition, it is essential that European regulations provide Member States with the right flexibility to boost growth and avoid taking measures that violate the internal market. Therefore, we must work towards building a consumer Europe that is ever more vigorous, more proximal and above all able to live up to their expectations and needs.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, while acknowledging the effort to overcome the rigidity of the current European financial rules, we must stress that the Commission's choices do not take into account the alteration of a scenario heavily affected by war, inflation and the energy crisis, with the side effects in economic terms that have resulted. Focusing on the green, digital and defence transition, ignoring these priorities in the calculation of the deficit-to-GDP ratio and therefore in the new rules of European governance, would be a political error of assessment. To boost our competitiveness, we need an appropriate and sound economic policy, accompanied by rules that should be designed to meet the needs of the Member States. Therefore the exclusion of investment expenses from the calculation of target expenses on which compliance with the parameters is measured, including those of the NRRP on digital and green transaction, would have been the way to go, to limit the constraints that prevent the full development of the economic assets of our country. The hope is that, during the negotiations, the final text will be improved to achieve a greater balance between the two factors, stability and growth, both of which are necessary.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, compared to the temporary crisis framework adopted by the European Commission on 23 March last year and 9 March 2023 to enable Member States to support the economy in a context of rising inflation, I hope that the easing of State aid will not only benefit some Member States, but will ensure a process of cohesion and convergence that corrects regional imbalances while avoiding widening territorial gaps and distortions in the single market. As I have said several times, I think it is essential to work on an amendment to the Rules of Procedure. de minimis to give more certainty to certain structural measures already authorised under the State aid scheme and financed by cohesion policy, because territories that suffer from serious disadvantages and above all that have to reduce an economic gap compared to other national realities have additional costs that result in competitiveness deficits for businesses and attractiveness for the creation or establishment of new large and medium-sized enterprises. The economic, Covid, energy, inflation and climate crises have in fact widened the lag of less developed regions and in a phase of so-called transition, not to mention mountainous, island, sparsely populated and rural areas. Many regions of the European Union are also at risk of a development trap. I therefore think that it is necessary to make provision for deducting the proportion of national resources allocated to cohesion measures from the deficit calculation, in order to ensure that resources are genuinely additional. Why the issue of State aid, also in the light of the actions taken by States competitor International governments, such as the United States, with the implementation of the IRA, require a timely and shared response from Europe, also taking into account the widely unequal distribution of state subsidies within the Union, and especially the disparity in fiscal space. This approach will be crucial not only for the protection of the integrity of the internal market, but also for strengthening the competitiveness of our industrial and production system.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the digital euro project could be a new foundation for Europe's digital economy, which, as the ECB has also pointed out, has absolutely acceptable intentions, such as strengthening the role of the euro and supporting digitalisation. It would also allow consumers a quick way to make payments. However, I would like to raise issues that concern first and foremost dissemination, accessibility and the possibility of making offline payments under any conditions. Risks to financial stability may then emerge, i.e. it is necessary to understand whether the service will be paid or not. For the first case, the digital currency could become a perfect substitute for bank deposits, limiting the role of banks and, I add, in this case it is also necessary to reflect further on the regulation on instant payments, which we will negotiate in these months, so as to avoid creating unnecessary duplicates or overlaps. If granted completely free of charge, the risk could occur in periods of high financial instability, where we would face a race for the digital euro of bank deposits. Therefore, I agree to continue the project on the digital euro as long as it is clear, easy to use and secure and allows online payments to be made even to those who are currently excluded from the financial system, and therefore it is an added value for consumers.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the economic and political choices we make in the coming months will be decisive for future generations. In order to boost European competitiveness, the way forward is not that of raising interest rates, which has already had a negative impact on consumers, households and businesses, but a sound industrial and trade policy must be put in place. The establishment of a European sovereign wealth fund will have to be the cornerstone on which the new programming will have to develop. But first of all it is imperative to revise the fiscal policy rules of the Member States, which are clearly no longer adapted to the current socio-economic context. Although the Commission communication is a first step in the right direction, it is still far from the needs of the Member States and, above all, has several issues to be resolved. I am referring in particular to the scope, the power of the Commission and the imposition of a multiannual ceiling on public expenditure. In fact, in agreement with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, I think that the future Stability and Growth Pact should take greater account of the issue of the balance between these two values: stability and growth, both of which are necessary. We therefore hope that the Commission's proposal will consider not calculating public investment in innovation, research and infrastructure in the deficit.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, Madam President Lagarde, as you say, confidence is a driving force behind the economy, but the upward trend in interest rates risks disrupting confidence, which is the very engine of the economy. The ECB's interest rate hike in March and the one it announced for March are cause for concern. The slight European economic recovery, in the uncertain economic scenario that we are going through, risks being halted by the solutions that the ECB is implementing. Therefore, this path could curb the economy and reduce liquidity in markets and investment for growth. Data from the largest benchmark associations show that loan and mortgage interest rates have breached the 3 % threshold. The socio-economic context, already heavily stressed by war and high energy, needs to be seen in the light of the new interest rate hike that the ECB intended to implement in March. Therefore, the strategy put in place by the ECB could negatively affect the economic outlook for the coming months for consumers, families and businesses and could penalize the entire European economic system.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, for the online video game sector, there is no doubt that there is a need for an approach at the level of the European single market, because in the large audience of consumers a large area is covered by minors. Therefore, a resolution that goes in the direction of strengthening user protection is an important step in building a safe online environment for all users. In this sense, the PEGI labelling system, implemented only in some Member States, appears to be an effective tool in providing information on the recommended minimum age and in protecting minors from inappropriate content in games and in intercepting elements of gambling such as randomly won chests and mysterious boxes for a fee, the so-called loot box. But this may not be enough if Europe fails to ensure further consumer protection through a widespread implementation of the PEGI system in the different types of games available on the market and especially in Europe. It is not to be underestimated that the volume of online games is getting bigger and bigger. The Union will therefore have to adopt measures to govern this phenomenon in order to protect consumers and, above all, the very young generations. The risk is that of exposing them to an educational and misleading path with respect to the values of leisure and entertainment to which online video games should refer, because I am convinced that digital games can play a decisive role for the development of minors and adolescents only if they are able to foster processes of deepening and acquisition of new skills and above all able to stimulate their creativity.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the pandemic crisis before and the consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict after have generated an inflationary spiral with double-digit rates, which has not been seen for some time now on our continent. It is time for rapid and urgent solutions, which give answers and support to consumers, families and businesses, starting from the fight against the increase in energy prices on which we hope decisions will already be taken at the next European Council to stop speculation. For months now, the prices of gas on the European market, as well as the consequences of Putin's criminal action, have responded to purely speculative logic. Given the circumstances, once again, we need the true solidarity of Europe on the part of those who, in recent months, have accumulated extra profits. Finally, in the light of the current economic scenario with rising interest rates, I believe that a concrete signal from the European Union and the Member States is needed to facilitate the needs of consumers, households and businesses through an extension of moratoria for businesses and mortgages. We do not need postponements on these issues, but decisions.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it is essential that the European Union and the Member States put targeted measures at the heart of their policies, through the involvement of local authorities, to enhance the territories of rural areas. Demographic crisis, depopulation, lack of digital infrastructure and services are some of the challenges they face, but at the same time these territories are a potential for the whole Union. I am thinking of the current challenges, such as the energy crisis and food security, but also of the strategic sectors that affect their economic development. The 2021 Commission Communications are two important initiatives, but they need to be followed up. Starting with the implementation of existing policies, with the need for integrated and complementary projects based on the cohesion policy programmes of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the national strategic plans under the CAP and investments under the national recovery and resilience plans. It is also useful that the European-level strategies launched under the Green Deal have a realistic and non-ideological approach, combining economic and environmental sustainability.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, Egypt is a friendly country and a strategic partner with which we have shared objectives to build a future of stability, peace and prosperity in the Mediterranean. It will be crucial to strengthen our cooperation on trade policies, energy security, countering illegal immigration and human trafficking, as well as terrorism and radicalisation. However, the European Union and its Member States must continue to take strong diplomatic action to push Egypt to make that progress in the field of human rights and the protection of minorities, I am thinking of the abuses suffered by Copts in the country. But as an Italian and European, I believe it is time to demand the truth about the abduction and death of Giulio Regeni, which took place in January 2016, urging the Egyptian authorities to put aside that climate of hostility and lack of cooperation so far, to cooperate with the Italian authorities regarding the four Egyptian intelligence agents suspected of the abduction and to bring to justice the real perpetrators. We owe this above all to Giulio Regeni's family, to our credibility in the international context and to the desire to establish stable, loyal and credible bilateral relations with Egypt.