Mario Draghi returns to speak after the government crisis and does so at CL meeting in Rimini. In a 40-minute speech, preceded by a standing ovation and repeatedly interrupted by thunderous applause, the Premier opened his speech by addressing the young people, thanking them for their enthusiasm and commitment. “You young people live politics as ideals to be shared, social commitment for their affirmation and the testimony of a life consistent with these ideals. You together fight, hope and build, that's why this enthusiasm of yours strikes me a lot today, you are the hope of politics".
Draghi: "It's a difficult time, but Italy is a great country"
After recalling his previous speech at the meeting, which took place in 2020 shortly before arriving at Palazzo Chigi while Italy was facing one of the toughest moments in its history, Draghi did not hide the difficulties of the present: "Even Today we are in an extremely complex moment for Italy and the EU, with the geopolitical framework undergoing rapid transformation with the return of war and tensions over Taiwan. The economic situation is marked by profound uncertainty” and inflation “weighs heavily on household and business balance sheets. But Italy is a big country“, said the Prime Minister.
The last time at the meeting, Draghi recalled, “we were in an acute and painful phase of the pandemic and we tried to reflect on how to rebuild”, with the “need to support families and businesses. I said to return to sustainable growth”, “I spoke of good debt and bad debt. These ideas inspired the government of national unity”.
“We seemed to be heading towards a slow and uncertain recovery, 18 months later we can say that it did not go like this: the Italians reacted with courage and concreteness and rewrote a story that seemed already decided. Together we have shown that Italy is a great country that has everything it takes to overcome the difficulties that history has placed before us”, stated the Premier.
Draghi on the elections: "I invite everyone to go and vote"
“In a few weeks the Italians will choose the new parliament. I invite you all to go and vote", he said. “May the next government preserve the republican spirit. I'm sure that of whatever color the government will be able to overcome all the difficulties, just as we did. Italy will make it this time too".
Draghi: "Russia has used gas as a threat, it must not happen again"
Draghi then attacked Russia for its political use of gas supplies. “Russia used gas as a geopolitical threat. It must never happen again“. Then he added: “Independence from Russia in autumn 2024 is a key security goal. We need to untie the cost of electricity from the price of gas. A radical change has been made in Italy's energy policy in just a few months”.
“We have found new suppliers, we have diversified our imports, we will soon become independent, perhaps from 2024, also in this sector. We have gone the extra mile. In 2021, 40% were imported from Russia, now we are halfway there.
“Russian gas imports are less and less significant and their eventual interruption would have less impact, inventories are now at 80% in line with the achievement of 90% by October”, said the Premier, emphasizing that with the new “regasifiers Italy will be able to be completely independent from Russian gas from autumn 2024. It is a fundamental objective for national security”.
gas costs, he then underlined, “they have reached unsustainable levels with peaks of more than 10 times the historical value. We have pushed hard at EU level for a ceiling on the price of gas. Some countries continue to oppose it because they fear supply blockages. But the limits of this position are evident: the EU finds itself with uncertain supplies and increased costs. It will be presented at the next European Council – anticipated the premier – a proposal from the commission".
Draghi: "Never increased taxes, except those on extra profits"
Moving from Energy to Taxation, Draghi said: “Tax evasion must neither be tolerated nor encouraged. Eliminating injustices and opacity does not mean raising taxes, this is the aim of the land registry reform. With us there was a +54% of home mortgage applications from under 35″.
“In this phase of the economic cycle it was right to give and not to take – explained Draghi -: we have never raised taxes, except those for extra profits in the energy sector for those who have made unprecedented profits", he continued, reiterating that "It is right and essential that they contribute without delay".
Draghi: “The Pnrr is an essential test for our credibility"
The Prime Minister then referred to the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, considered "An essential test for our credibility". “Domestic credibility must go hand in hand with international credibility – he added-. Italy is a founding country of the EU, protagonist of the G7 and NATO. Protectionism and isolationism do not coincide with our national interest. From autarkic drives to sovereignty that wanted to leave the euro, Italy has never been strong when it wanted to go it alone.
Draghi then highlighted that "the disbursements of the loans from the Pnrr, 191,5 billion, depend on the evaluation that the commission makes of the plan and its implementation, therefore they depend on the ability to implement the innovative policies in the established times as we have done so far: we have achieved all the objectives” of the first two deadlines and “we are working to achieve the highest possible number of objectives before the change of government”.
The Dragons Agenda
“The Italians will choose” the future Parliament and the “program of the future executive”, said the Prime Minister, speaking of the “Draghi agenda“. “I can only summarize the principles, the method used” and the “results achieved”. Then, Draghi focused on the words “truth” and “hope”: “We must not keep silent about the difficulties but it is not honest to describe them as calamities that make us inert. We will overcome these obstacles. Confidence in the future will be our strength,” he concluded.
