The National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (Pnrr) presented by Draghi aims to repair the economic damage caused by the epidemic in Italy. The country has been affected more than neighboring countries in terms of losses and economic consequences.
The package must be submitted in Brussels for approval at the end of this month. Prime Minister Draghi’s recovery plan is replete with long-term plans and focuses on investment, reform, digitization, innovation and better competition, in line with the Brussels guidelines. Investments should, among other things, bridge the differences between northern and southern Italy, for example by building high-speed train routes in the south of the country, and ensuring a better position for the youth and women.
green
Another issue that the recovery plan pays great attention to, again in line with the requirements of Brussels, is the “green revolution”, particularly in the form of environmental transformation. It is no coincidence that the Draghi government has appointed a special minister for environmental transformation, the physicist Roberto Singolani, who plays an important role in the cabinet. There will also be environmental rewards for those who make green investments.
The package also aims to improve the healthcare system, which has proven to be extremely vulnerable during the outbreak. Here, too, investment is being made in modernization and digitization so that everyone has access to healthcare services.
Salvini
A large majority of the House of Representatives is expected to endorse Draghi’s plan on Tuesday. The Senate will then approve its recovery plan as well. There is only one party in the opposition, the right-wing Fratelli Di Italia party, led by Giorgia Meloni. The question is how long Draghi can keep his government, made up of the most diverse parties, together. The right-wing Lega led by Matteo Salvini in particular appears to be an unreliable government partner.
The big question is not whether the Italian parliament will accept Draghi’s plans, but whether Brussels will agree. Italy cannot spoil this historic opportunity.
