Europe
isn’t working for this generation
Matteo Renzi
A
decade of misguided political and economic orthodoxy has killed
growth and fuelled populism
Thursday 21 January
2016 06.30 GMT
These are historic
times for Italy: our senate has just voted to accept far-reaching
reform. There will no longer be a bicameral system, where the two
parliamentary chambers have the same role and power. The government
will no longer have to win a confidence vote twice to survive, and
the country will no longer require 315 senators.
Italy has been
simplified. What seemed impossible just two years ago is now a
reality.
Something entire
generations of Italian politicians dreamed of is now happening. And
while we wait for the reforms to be approved in a referendum in
October, we can see in these measures the natural conclusion of a
process that in the space of 22 months has included transforming the
labour market, changing the voting system, cutting taxes while
reducing the deficit, reducing delays in the civil justice system
(although more needs to be done), battling the red tape of
bureaucracy, and investing in education and research.
The numbers
demonstrate the scale of the change: 400,000 jobs created in a year.
We have growth after three years of contracting GDP, and confidence
is at its highest in 20 years.
Italy is back, more
fit and stable, more responsible and ambitious. But in the meantime
Europe has gone missing in action. I won’t beat about the bush: we
all know that the political and cultural orthodoxy that has
monopolised thinking on how Europe should be run for the last decade
isn’t working. Or at least it isn’t working in the way it used
to.
Take immigration:
the position keeps fluctuating. We are, of course, happy that Italy’s
criticism of the grave deficiencies of the Dublin regulation on
refugees is finally common currency, even in Brussels.
The Dublin rules,
which require refugees to claim asylum in the country where they
first land, need to be changed urgently if we want to save the
European project. Italy was the first to say it, and when we did, not
many shared our view.
On the economic
front meanwhile, the EU fixation on austerity is actually destroying
growth. On energy there are double standards between the interests of
Germany and the Netherlands, and those of the rest of the EU; on
investment there is a great deal of talk and promises, but not too
many construction sites.
Italy still believes
in the European dream. It is for this very reason that we cannot
accept the way in which it is being turned into a nightmare by
populists.
We need to change
pace now. We are not asking for this because Italy needs it, but
because Europe needs it. And my country, finally stable after years
of political tension, does not intend to fall short of the moral
obligation that we have towards finally building a future for Europe.
We love the vision of Europe’s founding fathers, but we need to
build a Europe for their children too, a Europe that does not look
after just its own.
Italy still has a
lot to do to re-establish its rightful position. The justice system,
the functioning of public utilities, reducing the debt and improving
transparency are all clear goals for my government. And we know that
the recent turbulence around some Italian banks shows that our credit
system – solid and strong thanks to Italians’ extraordinarily
high household savings – still needs consolidation in order for
there to be fewer but stronger banks. When the market speaks, as it
has done in recent days, it is right that bank executives and
shareholders comprehend the need for serious and swift intervention.
For our part, we will take all necessary measures to support this
historic road of transformation.
However, Italy will
not stop demanding to have its voice heard. For years Europe has
tended to pay little attention to Italy because of the attitude of
those who governed the country.
But now the music
has changed. The new generation leading this seasoned old nation
believes in a Europe not as the sum of national self-interest but as
a space for freedom, culture and wellbeing. This is exactly why we
need to change pace immediately. We need to act without fear, but
with clear and concrete plans, in the knowledge that if Europe fails,
the world is a weaker place.
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