In Confindustria between Bonomi and Mattioli the real stake is renewal

In just over a month, we'll know who's next president of Confindustria. After reading this opening sentence, many will certainly sing the refrain of a famous and arrogant Roman popular song (for those who haven't guessed it, google The society of pimps).

But it is a profoundly wrong reaction. For a variety of reasons, two of which above all. First: in a country where entrepreneurs and industry do not enjoy great popularity and respect (unlike what happens in Germany and the United States, for example), Confindustria validly defends the good name and values ​​of both, for the benefit of Italy as a whole. Which, without business and without industry, would still have an agricultural economy (NOT bucolic) and would be very poor.

The second reason is that, for better or for worse, like it or not, Confindustria has a considerable political power, precisely by virtue of the representation entrusted to it by a large and varied part of the productive world. On the Viale dell'Astronomia website we read that the member companies generate an added value equal to 34% of the GDP and employ 5,4 million people (please: eliminate the aseptic and misleading term «employees»!).

For these two reasons, the election of the president of Confindustria affects all Italian citizens. Who will be she or he depends on whether the just cause of the Italian development it will be in good hands, at least from the industrial side; a side that is certainly not everything but it is much more than commonly thought. From a good presidency, good can come to the whole country; while a bad one can cause lasting damage.

They are in contention three candidates. In strict alphabetical order: Milanese Carlo Bonomi, current president of Assolombarda, which is the main territorial association adhering to Confindustria; the Turinese Licia Mattioli, vice president of the national Confindustria with responsibility for internationalization; and Bresciano Joseph Pasini, president of Aib (Brescia industrial association). But the real challenge is between the first two.

What can be said about them? first of all, Mattioli presents itself as continuity with the current Boccia presidency. Both because she is part of her team (having been a great voter of Boccia himself in 2016) and because Confindustria supports him. You don't need to know how to read subliminal messages to understand that organizing the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the eaglet in Turin was a way to launch her sprint. Especially since 110 years is not usually a milestone to celebrate.

At the opposite, Bonomi embodies discontinuity with respect to this presidency and its management, also of the subsidiaries, namely the LUISS university and the daily newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore.

In other words, if the entrepreneurs they were happy of Confindustria as it is they should vote for Mattioli. If, however, they were dissatisfied, they should elect Bonomi. If there was a mugnometer, its mercury would have already blown the glass tube and there would be little doubt about the outcome of the elections. Obviously, however, this is not the only factor that decides the result. i also count programs and the ability to persuade colleagues, i.e. to do campaign.

Even with regard to the latter, the two candidates could not behave more differently. Mattioli has chosen television, participating in talk shows, social networks and interviews in national newspapers. Where she gave further proof of her speaking skills and his determination. Bonomi uses a decidedly more institutional profile and less shouted.

A matter of taste and style, they say. But also of compliance with standards: according to a deep gorge, the rules of "engagement", established by the wise men in charge of consulting the membership base, had explicitly forbidden public outings. Both Mattioli and Pasini have violated them in a salvinian way. It is not a good omen for anyone aiming to lead the largest business association in a country in desperate need of comply with laws and regulations (starting with tax and social security contributions); if you are not able to stay within even those that the entrepreneurs themselves have given themselves…

Get an idea of ​​the programs it's less simple. On the one hand, that of Mattioli it certainly cannot be summarized in the slogans launched in the media. Slogans they say not exactly new things: to revolutionize the country starting from companies; jobs are not created by law (true, but laws do a lot for the quality of work and of the company and therefore for social progress).

On the other, the Bonomi poster it is even less knowable, since he has decided not to communicate it to the wider public. However, his speech at the last public meeting of Assolombarda, which was held at La Scala in Milan last October 3 (the eve of San Francesco), makes us understand the ultimate meaning of his proposal. Starting with the title: The enterprise of serving Italy. Which sounds very far from what Mattioli touted.

Some pages of that speech are dedicated to the recall, in front of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, of the principles of civil life and solidarity. Recalling the massacre of 3 October 2013 (exactly six years earlier) of 368 people who drowned when a boat capsized off the coast of Lampedusa; twenty were missing.

To understand the immense tragedy of migration, we warmly suggest, especially to those who haven't seen it yet: Like the weight of water. The vision of him should even be prescribed as mandatory health therapy for all leaders affected by sovereignism, keeping their eyes open with special springs, as in Arancia meccanica.

Ambrosian solidarity and civil life were those who, in the second half of the 1400s, prompted the Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza, to build a large hospital (the Ca' Granda). The first in the world with a modern footprint and concept for patient care and medical care. Designed for the poor, who could not afford visits and therapies and who could thus enjoy care not even imaginable in their very meager existence: from meals several times a day to the frequent change of sheets and linen, from refrigeration in the summer to heating in the winter running water. It is said that some miserable people injured themselves on purpose just to be hospitalized and enjoy such comforts, risking their lives in an era of high mortality from infections.

Also in Turin there are shining examples of attention to the needy. Like the social saints of the nineteenth century, first of all Don John Bosco. Mattioli could draw useful inspiration from it, but maybe it's not in his comfort zone. Yet their message and their work is so much needed in such a torn and impoverished Italy.

In any case, we suggest both read carefully, for analysis and specifications. the very recent e-book by Paolo Sestito and Roberto Torrini: Much ado about nothing: The parable of Italy, between abortive reforms and economic stagnation. At the head of the decalogue of things to do is education.

On 26 March, the day on which the General Council will nominate the next president of Confindustria by voting in the ballot box, we will know whether the elite of Italian industry will choose conservation or renewal. We would have no hesitations.