European Economy Minister Paolo
Gentiloni said Monday that the Italian government's top priority
should be the EU-funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan
(NRRP) after it presented plans to build a bridge between Sicily
and the mainland over the Strait of Messina and bring in a flat
tax for all workers.
The NRRP (or PNRR in Italian) seeks to make the Italian economy
Greener and more modern with the help of almost 200 billion
euros in EU grants and low-interest loans.
"Italy is focusing on the bridge over the Strait and the flat
tax, but there is also a highly pressing issue, which is the
NRRP," Gentiloni said at an event organized by daily newspaper
La Repubblica.
The Commissioner added that he would like to see Italy take more
leadership on transforming the economy to make it sustainable.
"The second challenge regards the role Italy wants to play on
the environmental challenge," said Gentiloni.
"Europe's second-biggest manufacturer shouldn't be left behind
with a policy that drags its heels or dreams of going back to
past eras.
"The transition is happening and you can't be the slow coach".
The Italian government has expressed opposition to the EU
directive on Green homes that would require work to boost the
energy efficiency of properties and to the EU's proposed end to
the sale of carbon-emitting petrol and diesel cars from 2035.
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