The facade of Palazzo Chigi in Rome, seat of the Italian government, illuminated with the tricolor, March 19, 2021. – Massimo Di Vita / Mondadori Portfo
The Italian government made public on Sunday its draft recovery plan financed by the European Union, which is due to be presented to Parliament on Monday and discussed by both chambers. This five-year plan includes expenditure of 222.1 billion euros, of which 191.5 are financed by the EU. The plan, which received a first green light after a meeting between the head of the Italian government Mario Draghi and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, according to a government spokesperson, is articulated in six missions.
The “digitization, innovation, competitiveness and culture” mission benefits from a total of 49.2 billion euros and the planned investments should allow the entire peninsula to benefit from a latest generation Internet connection, without white zones. The one entitled “green revolution and ecological transition” is the heaviest financially, with a total of 68.6 billion euros and many objectives, among others, to recycle 65% of plastic waste and 100% of textile waste, to revive transport local public with the purchase of less polluting buses, renewing the fleet of regional trains, etc.
Modernization of regional railway lines
The government plans in particular for “significant investments in renewable energy sources” and supports “the hydrogen sector”. The “infrastructures for sustainable mobility” mission, with a total budget of 31.4 billion euros, provides for “rational development of modern, sustainable transport infrastructure covering the whole country”.
Modernization of regional rail lines and investments in high-speed rail transport are the main objectives. The “education and research” mission has a budget of 31.9 billion euros and provides in particular for the construction of new nurseries and nursery schools and the creation of 152,000 new posts for children under three years old and 76,000 posts. for children aged three to six.
Worth € 22.4 billion, the “inclusion and cohesion” mission aims to “facilitate participation in the labor market (…) and promote social inclusion”. The government will thus invest, in particular, in favor of the creation of businesses by women by creating a special fund or in the suburbs of large cities. Endowed with 18.5 billion euros, the “health” mission will aim to strengthen prevention and local health services as well as to digitize the healthcare system as a whole.
Justice reform
The government also insists on its desire to carry out, in parallel with these six missions, a vast program of reforms, including that of the public administration with its rejuvenation and investments in its digitization and professional training. The justice reform plans to reduce the excessive length of trials while measures will be taken to strengthen competition and to simplify the administrative procedures aimed at obtaining various permits and authorizations.
The Italian plan as a whole also counts on “a significant investment in favor of young people and women”, two categories particularly affected by unemployment, specifies the government in its conclusions. Thus, companies wishing to benefit from the financing of this plan will have to commit to hiring young people and women, assures the government.