Emanuele Orsini, on his debut as president of Confindustria, inaugurated his leadership with an opening speech at theannual meeting. During his speech, Orsini brought to the table several proposals: a permanent tax wedge cut, a review of European policies on energy transition, and a push towards next-generation nuclear power. He also suggested a housing plan to facilitate worker mobility, with the aim of ensuring affordable housing. The list is completed with requests for lower taxes, strategic investments and a multi-year commitment that goes beyond the PNRR. His proposals, while mostly aligned with government guidelines, will now have to deal with scarce public resources and political constraints.
Orsini: An anti-business culture benefits no one
In his speech, Orsini stressed the importance of transmitting “the culture of work and the richness of having an ambition” to the new generations, warning that a anti-business culture does not benefit anyone. He reiterated Confindustria's duty to increase thefemale occupation, supporting women through all forms of welfare and employment guidance. “We entrepreneurs have tenacity, trust and often optimism bordering on the impossible, to plan and invest even in uncertain times. Strong, reliable and cohesive,” he declared, calling for “loyal collaboration and certain rules” for support le companies Italian, aiming at a constructive comparison that enhances the work , productivity.
Orsini: “Europe’s pace change is vital”
"If theEurope must change gear, Italy is also called to make new courageous choices”, declared Orsini, adding: “Today, no one can govern such complex processes alone. We recognize the key role of Europe, an institution to which we have delegated the raw materials for reconstruction and our currency, a choice of peace that has allowed the growth and prosperity of the continent”.
However, he warned that the European scenario has changed dramatically: “Europe must maintain its economic and welfare standards in a tough competition with other areas of the world.” The president of the industrialists warned against a environmental transition which risks “putting industry at risk”, citing the Green Deal and its “excessive rigidity” which is “giving away” crucial sectors such as the automotive sector to China. He also criticized the financial speculation on ETS (Emissions Trading System) which has increased the price of CO2, calling for a complete revision of the discipline. “Continuing like this, we will also give away steel, cement and ceramics to our international competitors, with negative repercussions on investments and employment”.
Orsini praises Draghi and asks the EU Commission for a “reality check”
In his speech, the president of Confindustria welcomed Mario Draghi's Report, stressing that it has “reported in depth and comprehensively the needs of our businesses. It urged joint action with the Government and MEPs of all political forces to address economic transitions and global challenges. It asked for a “reality check” for the European Commission, so that it can address the challenges with adequate means and strategies.
Orsini then highlighted the need for a “solid European industrial policy”, calling for massive investments in cutting-edge technologies, raw materials and Artificial Intelligence, and a review of trade and competition policy. “All this requires colossal investments and common strategies, which are lacking today,” he noted, urging aAcceleration on nuclear and denouncing the long lead times. “We cannot waste any more time,” he warned.
Orsini: “No to minimum wage, yes to bargaining”
Stressing the importance of productivity that enhances the country's growth, Orsini warned against political divisions on issues that are crucial for people and work. He suggested that the issue of wages should be addressed through negotiation rather than the wage minimum, and called for joint action with trade unions to resolve problems related to incongruous wages and tax irregularities.
Orsini to the Government: “Targeted choices in the Budget”
The president of the industrialists acknowledged the Government's efforts in keeping "the course straight on public accounts", but advanced "specific requests" for the next budget law: A permanent tax wedge cut, instead of an annual renewal, incentives to support an extraordinary plan for housing for newly hired workers, and a multi-year commitment to investments strategic that exceeds the Pnrr. He announced that Confindustria will soon present "a series of zero-cost measures" to improve legal certainty and simplify the bureaucracy, stressing the need to introduce apremium rate on IRES for reinvested profits, abolish IRAP for joint-stock companies e restore the Ace, stressing that capitalization of companies is essential for investing. “We are ready for a serious and detailed examination with the Government of many fiscal expenditures, tax deductions and allowances that, over the decades, have accumulated by the hundreds and many do not correspond to real growth purposes,” he added. Furthermore, he announced Confindustria's willingness to start a discussion with the unions to jointly address the challenges of the sector.
Orsini concluded by highlighting the need for a Structural Budget Plan which includes reforms and strategic investments to avoid stagnation or a step backwards, expressing concern about Europe's "weak ability to restart" and the lack of significant investments in crucial areas such as Artificial Intelligence, infrastructure and logistics, stressing that the country's growth and future depend on our ability to adapt and invest strategically.
Giorgia Meloni: “+1% GDP is within reach”
After Orsini's report, the stage of the Confindustria assembly passed to the Prime Minister Giorgia Melons: “This is the first time I have spoken at the Confindustria assembly, and it is also your first speech, President Orsini: like all first times, we will remember this day. I greatly appreciated President Orsini's report, I share many of the ideas and proposals it contains”, as well as “the scenario analysis on the risks that the Italian economy and Europe run if certain trends are not reversed”.
With a touch of optimism, the Prime Minister added: “I am confident that we can do something better than the Commission’s forecasts: I continue to believe that +1% of GDP is within reach, especially after the first two quarters. Any triumphalism would be childish but it was not a given after years spent at the bottom of the rankings”.
