Debate contributions by Denis NESCI

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, with InvestEU we are strengthening the European guarantee by making it more effective in attracting private capital without any debt mutualisation. We don't increase spending, we make it smarter. The measures introduced go in the right direction: a real simplification for small-scale funding, criteria green apply with proportionality and a stricter definition of SMEs, to avoid competitive distortions and reward those who really invest in innovation and employment. The new set-up demonstrates that competitiveness and discipline can go hand in hand: clearer risk management, respect for subsidiarity and the possibility to combine InvestEU with existing instruments, without overlapping, increase the credibility of public intervention and the economic impact of available resources. At the same time, the focus on strategic supply chains and critical infrastructure strengthens European industrial resilience. In this context, the TEN-T network is a decisive factor: Improving connections and logistics corridors means strengthening the single market and creating real opportunities for the regions of southern Italy, where infrastructure immediately translates into investment, competitiveness and economic convergence. I conclude with a conviction, which I consider essential: An investment policy is credible when it combines growth, rigour and cohesion, and this is the Europe we need to build.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, the single market is the Union's greatest economic achievement, but today it is still unfinished. This is also confirmed by the 2025 Competitiveness Report. Too many internal barriers, too many regulatory differences and a bureaucracy that suffers those who work, instead of supporting it. The single market must be a tool for growth and competitiveness, not for endorsement. Less constraints lowered from above, more freedom for those who produce, innovate and invest. SMEs pay the highest price for this fragmentation. If Europe is to truly grow, we must free it from unnecessary obstacles and burdens. And we cannot forget the less developed regions. A single market that leaves entire territories behind is not a complete single market. Enhancing local excellence means building a stronger and fairer Europe. Finally, digitalisation must be a great opportunity to bridge gaps, not to create new ones. We need accessible digital infrastructure in all Member States and a framework that protects European data and technological sovereignty. Digital innovation must serve those who produce, not replace them. We will fight with determination for a single market that is finally complete, built with rigour, pragmatism and courage, alongside our territories and our citizens.

Madam President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, tourism is not just an economic sector; is entity, culture, tradition; is the wealth of our territories, and in Italy we know it well. Millions of travelers choose our cities of art, our villages and our coasts and behind every trip there are families, small businesses and workers who, with daily commitment, keep this wealth alive. The pandemic and the failure of large players have highlighted all the fragilities of the sector: Travelers left without refunds, businesses on their knees. That is why a serious revision of this directive was needed. Today we give consumers clearer rules, more protection and above all quick and safe refunds in the event of a crisis or insolvency. At the same time, we have defended our companies, especially the smallest ones, from rules that would have meant only bureaucracy and unsustainable costs. We do not accept proposals such as fiduciary accounts, which penalize the weakest without bringing real benefits. What is needed is balance: protect travelers, yes, but without condemning those who work honestly and keep the real economy going. The text we will vote on tomorrow goes in this direction, strengthens citizens' trust and allows businesses to continue to grow and compete.

Mr President, Mr Executive Vice-President, ladies and gentlemen, today more than ever, cohesion policy must prove to be a real engine of development for our territories. In the face of the increasingly complex challenges facing Europe, it is crucial to ensure more flexibility and concrete tools for local authorities, so that they can respond effectively and in a timely manner to the real needs of communities. With the new revision, each country will have the possibility – on a voluntary basis – to adapt its cohesion programmes according to the specific priorities of its territories, in order to achieve the objectives set out in Article 174 TFEU. This means recognizing that there is no single solution, but that it is necessary to enhance the diversity and peculiarities of each local reality. This result was also made possible thanks to the valuable work of Vice-President Fitto, who was able to pursue with determination a constructive dialogue between the European institutions and the Member States. Among the priorities, I consider it essential to emphasise the focus on competitiveness and innovation in order to support the productive and employment fabric; tackling the housing crisis, a problem that is now affecting more and more families in many European regions; and the sustainable management of water resources, with a particular focus on the fight against drought, an emergency that we can no longer ignore. It is crucial to underline how Member States are calling for a swift adoption of the Regulation to allow local authorities to start projects immediately. This is a particularly important signal for rural areas, which suffer more than others from historical gaps and which face problems that can only be overcome with cohesion policy, because cohesion policy is an instrument of equity and growth, capable of ensuring solid and lasting development.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Executive Vice-President Fitto, this report updates us on the progress of the RRF. The construction sites have started, but the spending curve signals a slowdown that risks opening a gap in investment. It is therefore necessary to act immediately with concrete measures that support projects without burdening public budgets. The text denounces delays, overlaps and administrative bottlenecks, calls for more incisive audits and digital platforms to track every euro spent in real time. I would also point out that a substantial part of the loans remains unused, while the debt already incurred will be increasingly borne by the Union budget. Until these resources actually come into circulation, a new debt is not justified. In a constructive way, however, Italy has demonstrated and continues to demonstrate that accelerating is possible. The Meloni government has streamlined procedures, strengthened monitoring and focused spending on immediately achievable projects, offering a rigorous management model. In addition, the European Court of Auditors certifies the negligible impact on the green transition. Before imposing new ideological criteria, we demand concrete results, open data on beneficiaries, clear outcome indicators and constant parliamentary scrutiny. Finally, the regions and municipalities must be fully involved. Only they can translate European funding into concrete works and tangible benefits. The report points to a pragmatic path towards stronger, more transparent controls and full shared responsibility, which deserves to be followed in order to turn investments into lasting results for the whole Union. Let's make sure that today's choices become economic freedom and concrete hopes for tomorrow's generations.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, the summary of the debate has revealed the work we have done in recent months with the shadow rapporteurs, with all the staff, with the rapporteurs. advisor, that is, to try to synthesize and photograph the current situation in rural areas in order to try to solve what is wrong and what has been forgotten. I think that this debate has brought out all that we have highlighted: infrastructure, digitalisation, connectivity, essential health services, training. Therefore, in this report we have achieved the objective we had set ourselves, without neglecting above all the compass that has guided us along this path, that is, to be able to guarantee the right to remain, which was the main objective, that is, the possibility of giving young people the opportunity to decide where they can develop, where they can live and where they can create their own future. So I am satisfied with this work and I also thank the work done by the Commission, by the Commissioner, by the words of the Executive Vice-President, especially because he has sent us a message of confidence in the use of cohesion policy. So I conclude with the invitation, which was also given to us in the last speech made by the Vice-President, which is to work together. So let us all work together so that we can look concretely at the problems to be solved and let us possibly leave aside the ideological aspects that do not help European citizens.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Executive Vice-President Fitto, today it is with a deep sense of responsibility and sincere emotion that I turn to you to present the report on strengthening rural areas in the European Union through cohesion policy. I am the son of a land that knows well the potential but also the difficulties of the rural world. It is precisely from this awareness that the work that I present to you today is born. The report aims to be a starting point for concrete action towards what should be a goal shared by all of us: to make rural areas no longer marginal, but finally the protagonists of a targeted development strategy. Rural areas cover 80% of the European territory and are home to almost a quarter of the population. Yet, it seems that it has never been thought of developing them in parallel with urban areas. For too long, these areas have suffered from isolation, depopulation, poor connectivity, limited access to essential services, an ageing population and employment difficulties. But they are not lost lands, they are precious resources, treasure chests of culture, biodiversity, identity and, today more than ever, strategic levers for new ways of producing energy and for food security. The file stems from this belief: Revitalising rural areas is not only an act of territorial justice, it is a strategic choice for the whole Union. It is strategic, in fact, to want to provide rural areas with their own tools both in financial and administrative terms. In this regard, the creation of infopoints dedicated to the support of SMEs and municipalities is now essential to optimize the use of available resources and ensure concrete support to the regions. We have worked with the aim of giving a clear framework and effective tools to enhance rural areas as drivers of development. The text proposes an integrated strategy combining agricultural policies, territorial cohesion, digital innovation, access to transport, training, efficient water services and health. In particular, on health, we call on the Commission to complement its digital health strategy, specific measures for areas identified as rural in order to provide local health services with concrete support for the updating of technologies, and we call for the services offered by these services to be enhanced. We also underline the central role of infrastructure development for the economic and social growth of rural areas, given the need for transport systems, in particular public ones, that allow better connections and better access to essential services, but also the need for more efficient and resilient energy networks. We want to live in an area defined as "rural" does not mean having fewer opportunities. This means investing in infrastructure, supporting rural businesses, promoting sustainable tourism, strengthening the resilience of territories, encouraging the role of women and the return of young people to their land. The beating heart of the proposal is one: the dignity of people. We cannot accept that living in a village or in a valley means being a second-class citizen. Every rural community has the right to services, connectivity, training and prospects. The work is the result of attentive listening to the territories, through meetings with farmers, local administrators, associations, young people. This is because rural policies must start from the bottom up, respect the principle of subsidiarity, strengthen local identity and responsibility. Supporting rural areas does not only mean interpreting and enlarging the principle of cohesion policy, but represents a concrete investment for the future of Europe. And then it is a clear signal that we are addressing our citizens: We have not forgotten you. Above all, it is a message of hope for those who want to stay and even more a recognition of the right of our young people to stay in their land and build their future there. I thank all those who have contributed, in particular the shadow rapporteurs, the advisor, the technicians, for effective cooperation and I call on this House to embrace this vision because hundreds of thousands of rural communities that have long been waiting for a clear signal from Europe no longer have time to wait.

Madam President, Mr Executive Vice-President Fitto, ladies and gentlemen, the European Union's cohesion policy is essential for reducing territorial inequalities and promoting balanced development. However, its implementation needs to be improved, also in view of the next MFF. Cohesion policy needs to be renewed to respond to the new needs of the different Member States, giving them more flexibility. It is essential that we address decisively the crucial challenges facing the European Union every day, including demographic challenges and talent valorisation, so that every young person has a chance to stay in their own land. I am pleased that the Vice-President has emphasised competitiveness and the issue of housing, two key priorities that require immediate action. The housing issue is vital not only for cities but also for rural areas, and must be treated with the same urgency and determination. The communication presented today is an important step and goes in the right direction; simplifying access to finance for businesses and creating infopoint territorial structures that offer administrative support, simplifying bureaucratic processes. In conclusion, the mid-term review is a crucial opportunity to adapt cohesion policy to emerging challenges, ensuring a stronger and more resilient future for our territories.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, acquiring skills means making the most of the concrete opportunities offered by the territory. The goal is to simultaneously enhance trainers and apprentices, encouraging the entry into the world of work of professionals who were thought to have been lost. Our commitment must be to be able to balance a European development strategy conditioned by the advent of new technologies through the use of skills and talents. The European economic system must be able to guarantee our young people the conditions to be able to invest in their future in their countries of origin, without the difficulties of having to move to have a working life that lives up to their expectations. Every young person must feel free to choose their own path, aware that their territory is not only a starting point, but an infinite resource of opportunities. This is how we will breathe new life into our countries and into the whole of Europe. This is how a young person will have the motivation to stay, while feeling part of an innovative and forward-looking world. It is a commitment that we owe to ourselves, to our young people and to our economies.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Madam President Lagarde, today we are debating the ECB's annual report, a document that provides an overview of the monetary policies adopted, the supervisory activity and the other functions carried out by the European System of Central Banks. As ECR shadow rapporteur, I worked for the text to maintain a practical approach, balancing the independence of the ECB with the need to ensure an effective monetary policy. The report addresses issues such as monetary policy, the digital euro, the ECB's secondary objectives and the strengthening of the international role of the euro, and stresses the importance of price stability in the fight against inflation, which is crucial for an environment conducive to investment, growth and jobs. With regard to the digital euro, it is clarified that it will have to accompany cash without replacing it, guaranteeing privacy to citizens. It also highlights the need for greater transparency in corporate bond management and a balanced approach to decarbonisation. Finally, we call on the ECB to step up its dialogue with national parliaments and to work closely with Member States on a financial education programme, which are key tools for raising consumer and business awareness and preparedness. It is crucial that the ECB adopts a more pragmatic and common-sense approach, always with the aim of safeguarding households, businesses and consumers. Only with policies that reflect a concrete understanding of the day-to-day challenges will the ECB be able to further strengthen confidence in the euro and improve the effectiveness of its actions, promoting a balance between economic stability and the well-being of our citizens.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the population of the European Union is ageing and is expected to decline. The decrease in the labour force leads to labour shortages, pressure on public budgets and depopulation. During the Conference on the Future of Europe, citizens called for family support. However, if the European Union does not start investing in the family as the cornerstone of its action, we will face an unstoppable decline. Becoming a parent is becoming a luxury for the few, a dream that escapes many. Let us imagine a future in which the sweetness of parenthood is not a privilege, but a shared reality, a Europe that supports every step, that offers resources and opportunities so that every child can grow up in a loving and protected environment. It is time to turn challenges into opportunities and create a society where love can flourish, where the dream of becoming a father or mother can shine brightly. We can take the example of the Meloni government, which considered resources towards families an investment and not an expense. Let us build together a tomorrow where every life is celebrated and every family prospers.

Madam President, Mr Vice-President Fitto, ladies and gentlemen, what has tragically happened in different regions of Europe has forced us to take urgent action in favour of the Member States in order to ensure greater flexibility and greater funding possibilities, to proceed with rapid reconstruction and to restore hope to the people who have suffered considerable damage. Dear Vice-President, our priority must be to ensure that Member States have effective mechanisms to manage emergencies and plan reconstruction in addition to what has already been provided by the Solidarity Fund, but it is essential that these instruments do not affect cohesion policy funds in the future. We support what is proposed today, including the amendments made to the Council, but it cannot be a long-term solution. Cohesion policy is the tool that allows us to reduce inequalities between European regions and must remain at the heart of our priorities: I'm sure it will be with you. By strengthening the dialogue with the territories, listening to the needs and intervening with tailor-made actions, it is necessary to ensure that no citizen is left behind. We will be at your side, at the side of the territories and at the side of the citizens.

(IT) Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, cohesion policy is the main source of European investment for the development of territories and for reducing disparities in our regions. Putting active labour policies and creating a growth-friendly environment at the centre is essential, including by remedying bureaucratic distortions that create inefficiency and slowness for businesses and consumers. In these difficult days, allow me to thank law enforcement officers, firefighters and volunteers who are all facing dramatic situations to save lives throughout Italy and I pay particular attention to Calabria, my land, which has been put to the test by severe floods. These are phenomena that unfortunately we live every day throughout Europe. For this reason, it is essential to promote actions for the protection of our territories through an increase and improvement of direct funding. Such funding should be geared towards both more effective prevention of natural disasters and more resilient reconstruction after a disaster.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, consumer protection and the fight against unfair competition, especially in online trade, are a priority issue for Europe. Too many products that do not comply with European standards continue to enter our market through thee-commerce, putting consumer safety at risk and penalising our companies, in particular Italian and European small and medium-sized enterprises. We can no longer accept that our companies are forced to compete on unequal terms with low-quality products from countries that do not respect our rules. Companies that strictly comply with European safety and quality regulations are penalized by unfair competition. We must strengthen border controls, ensure that imported products meet the same standards that our companies are required to follow. We call on the European Union to take decisive action: It is important that the platforms of e-commerce do not become a preferred channel for the sale of non-compliant products. This is an essential point to defend Italian and European economic sovereignty, protecting our productive fabric. As we have often pointed out, our economy cannot continue to suffer the consequences of trade policies that favour external actors to the detriment of our excellence.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, Mr Letta, the report we are debating today highlights one of the crucial challenges: Strengthening the single market is undoubtedly a key objective for the future of the European Union. However, we cannot ignore the obvious criticalities. Excessive bureaucratic regulation is a real obstacle that risks stifling innovation and SME growth. If we are then faced with perfidies such as that of the ETS Directive, just to name one, which puts at risk the competitiveness of Mediterranean port infrastructure – such as the port of Gioia Tauro – with strong repercussions also on the level of employment, we are not talking about a single market, but a distorted single market. In order to relaunch our competitiveness within the single market, we need an appropriate economic policy based on solidarity, accompanied by rules that meet the needs of all Member States. This is why it is essential that the single market does not become an advantage reserved only for certain areas: we need a truly inclusive single market, which can also offer opportunities to less developed regions, focusing on people and not on "eco-madness", and which is in favour of families, consumers and businesses.

Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, Commissioner, we are here today to discuss a proposal which, in my view, can be a serious strategy, both economic and political. Democratic Party Secretary Elly Schlein recently said she agreed with the proposal to introduce a European tax on the super-rich. This, in my view, is profoundly dangerous. Taxing wealth in a disproportionate way does not solve inequalities, but rather stifles economic growth, discouraging investment and driving capital away from Europe, thus recalling the obscurantism of a wealth so friendly to the left. Having the ability to attract investment and capital has always been the key to developing a strong and decisive economy. The real solution to fighting poverty and reducing inequality is not to punish those who have succeeded, but to create a strong and prosperous economy that gives everyone the same opportunities to grow and thrive.

Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, today we are discussing one of the main threats to the security of European citizens. Organised crime is a phenomenon that undermines the foundations of our society. A decisive step is Article 16 of the Asset Recovery and Confiscation Directive, which must remain central. We must not create overlaps with national rules that – especially in Italy – have proven their effectiveness in fighting organised crime. We must avoid the creation of new structures that duplicate existing ones, such as Europol and Eurojust. The objective must be clear: a unified and coordinated European action, defending the security and rights of citizens, without compromising on justice and the effectiveness of the policy against organised crime. In a context where crime is rampant, especially among young people, impunity must not be the solution. And as Borsellino said: Those who are afraid die every day, those who are not afraid die only once.

Mr President, Commissioner, ladies and gentlemen, the entry into force of the ASD has been hailed as the achievement of a high level of protection for users and consumers of the network, SMEs and start-ups from potential abuses of Big Tech. The first steps, however, went in the direction of an arbitrary greater restriction of freedom of expression and control of public debate. It would have been interesting, this morning, to deal directly with the now former Commissioner for the internal market Breton, who last August published in X a letter, from which von der Leyen herself had distanced herself, inviting the platform not to spread fake news and to moderate the contents in view of the dialogue between Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Now, what all consumers and users are wondering is: Will the next Commission develop the ASD as a tool to protect against abuse or as a tool for abuse? We obviously hope that you choose the first path.