The core business is still in energy, widespread services, local activities. The companies owned by local authorities - the historical other side of Italian capitalism - are officially in good health and are increasing the number of employees, even if the reality often has more aspects.
In total there are 4.249 and they employ 621.926 people. A local fabric, which since Prime Minister Renzi has been trying to change. The Madia reform profoundly changes their structure, governance and management selection. Probably he wants to make them more competitive, not make them appear extraneous to competition and competition in essential services. They will have to correct some distortions, of course, but while waiting for the revolution to take place, Istat has verified them on the basis of 2015 data. Quantitatively they have decreased by 2,5%, but the number of employees has increased by 4,5%.
And precisely in the sectors of energy, network infrastructures, services to the territory. The Reformation will change his face. It will not be easy due to the territorial roots, due to the proximity to the territories that make it a unique example in Europe. The Municipalities that support them and the local authorities that care about their fate entrust the outcome of the change to time. Only time will be able to tell us if the new public company designed by the Madia consolidated text will be able to achieve the objectives for which it was conceived.
Will it really help Municipalities to be effective and efficient? Guido Castelli, Anci delegate to local finance is convinced of this. The determination of local authorities in defending the existence of these companies is part of Italy's economic history from the post-war period to today. Born and raised to defend local realities from the initiative of a capitalism that extended its borders to transport, energy, the environment and health.
That local mission gradually became national. It let itself be contaminated by national and international finance when it was necessary to increase the turnover, invest in innovation and technologies. Politics has never been distracted from events involving assets and strategies. Sometimes she was a victim of it.
The Istat survey told us that the companies owned by at least one local authority have, however, decreased by 12%. 76,5% produced an operating profit, while for all the others, accounts in the red for 3 billion and 800 million euros. The final result for 2015 certified an overall positive balance of approximately 6 billion and 800 million euros.
Prime Minister Renzi and Minister Madia argued that the time had come for a turning point. The Gentiloni government has not touched the original structure. Above all that these companies also had an experience in their business, despite the fact that in the 90s they were indicated as a national priority in the management of certain services. What is still not clear, also in the light of Istat data, is whether the reform will be able to convince the millions of citizens who use the services that the change will be favorable and not depressing. But the ally is time.
