In words, everyone wants growth. And we can swear that even today, faced with the pitiless data from Istat on record youth unemployment, there will be a chorus of complaints and invocations for development. Too easy. Growth is not a zero balance operation. To stimulate it you need to change. And carry out reforms, eliminating the privileges of a few in the name of everyone's interests. Liberalizations are a litmus test: they shouldn't be mythologized, but they can make a significant contribution to GDP growth. All the studies on the subject say it, starting with those of the Bank of Italy. The reaction of three regions (Piedmont, Puglia and Tuscany) to the liberalization of the opening and closing hours of shops decided by the Monti government is surprising (but up to a certain point). The liberalization of timetables will not be the panacea, but it can help development and consumers. One can distinguish between a large metropolis and a small village and between shop and shop, but the idea of making the opening and closing of shops flexible is the right one. Experience says so. It can create new jobs and it can give relief to consumers (especially those in work). But the hostile reaction of the three Regions in question and their intention to appeal to the Constitutional Court challenging the Government's measure does not seem to worry about it. Perhaps the traders – who, fortunately, are not all the same – will be happy, but the citizens as a whole will do well to remember this in the next elections.
In truth, the no to the liberalization of Cota is the least surprising: the Northern League governor of Piedmont is always at the head of the rearguard battles and looks more to the small business interests (it is appropriate to say) of the League rather than to the general ones of his Region. He had risen – a great coup for the League, which a few centuries ago wanted to overthrow the privileges of party politics! – even in the face of the Monti government's intention to abolish the provinces, even if only in part. Cota argues that trade liberalization would favor outlets, which – as everyone knows – are on every street corner…. If the Carnival weren't far away, one might really wonder if it makes Cota or his party mate Calderoli smile anymore who, oblivious to the failures created by the Government of which he belonged until a few weeks ago, today calls the new premier to account for the expenses for the year-end cotechino bought by Signora Monti. But by now the most shrewd among Italians, who live anxiously every day the battle in defense of the euro on which their future really depends, have learned not to take the Northern League's blustering seriously.
Even Puglia's no to the liberalization of shop hours is not surprising: the governor Vendola (SEL) understands ideologies and illusions, but we know that competition and liberalization in favor of all citizens and all consumers against barriers of the market are not his forte. Right to listen to small shopkeepers but, Governor Vendola, when do we postpone development and economic growth? At the next legislature? Congratulations, what a farsighted left…. And above all timely. Do not be surprised, however, Vendola if his battles for the occupation will have less than modest credibility.
Instead, what is surprising is the position of the governor of Tuscany, Enrico Rossi, a leading exponent of the Democratic Party and supporter of Bersani, who however thinks exactly the opposite about liberalization. Rossi makes it a matter of competence and since the opening hours of the shops are up to the Regions to regulate them, here is the thumbs down to Monti and the appeal to the Consulta. That small traders are part of his electorate and that Rossi should listen is understandable, but forget the attacks on liberalism, the excesses of which must certainly be censored but have absolutely nothing to do with the flexibility of shop hours. He, like the other governors who lead the rearguard battle on trade liberalization, would like to ask: 1) before taking the field, have you tried listening to consumers too? 2) can you really swear that working hours flexibility doesn't even create an extra job? 3) regional competencies are important and measures can always be improved, but in times of war for the euro, which is being waged in recent weeks, does the urgency of deciding count for anything or not?
But it may be worth reminding the president of the Tuscany Region of the words of the secretary of his own party, Pierluigi Bersani, who was a champion of liberalization sheets in the second Prodi government: "The problem is that everyone must be disturbed so that all can improve and restore relief to consumers. We need to make ourselves available to change, we don't need to be too afraid. Woe to us if they stop us in front of the challenge”. Courage, gentlemen, the time for untouchable shrines is over. And hopefully forever.
