The first day at the Trento Festival of Economics, between Pnrr and Ukraine

International political issues, including the war in Ukraine, the relationship with the European institutions and the use of Pnrr funds, were the focus on the first day of the Trento Festival of Economics, organized by the 24 Hours Group. Prominent guests of the first day of the review, which will continue until Sunday 28 May with dozens of debates and meetings between theatres, historic buildings and squares, the EU Economy Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, the Pd secretary Elly Schlein, the defense ministers and del Lavoro Guido Crosetto and Marina Calderone and the Nobel Peace Prize Tawakkul Karman.

If Germany does not grow “it is not good news for Europe”, comments Gentiloni. “It is evident that in Europe there are different types of growth – he continues – and Italy is a country that has had a good level of growth in the last three years and also maintains a moderate level of growth in the current year in our forecasts “. Gentiloni then addressed an invitation to the government and the Parliament: “In Italy the Mes, I don’t know why, is experienced as if it were the Spectre. It is not the Spectre, I know them, it is an intergovernmental body that it served to address the sovereign debt crisis of some countries. Will Italy be forced to use it? When ever”.

Schlein e il Pnrr

We are “very concerned” about the government’s delays, “we have asked, for months, to report promptly in the Chamber on what changes they intend to bring”, explains the secretary of the Democratic Party. She then adds: “The call of the European Union cannot be ignored, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our country to make investments to promote a relaunch of the economy and the reduction of inequalities and how we face the climate emergency. It is an opportunity that cannot be missed”. And again: “Instead of discussing and complaining about the deadlines that the EU foresees, we can ask for more resources for a just transition”.

Crosetto and Ukraine

Crosetto instead reflects on the possible developments of the conflict that has been going on for over a year in Ukraine. “The theme is the strength of democracies compared to autarchies. This is the challenge facing us this century, launched openly to all democracies. Ukraine is the tip of the iceberg, perhaps the beginning. I don’t know if democracies, the Western world with its evolution of well-being, with its absence of habit of deprivation, in the presence of death, how they can face such a difficult moment”.

When asked if the US war commitment could change with a Republican victory in the next US presidential elections, the Defense Minister replies: “On Ukraine we assume that the political scenario will not change but maybe in a year the US attitude could change We could have another Afghanistan. We need to get to the end of the conflict and look for a peace table, but someone has to stop throwing bombs”.

Numerous panels are scheduled for Saturday with most of the government officials. Among the scheduled speeches, between video conference and presence, the premier Giorgia Meloni and the owner of the Mef Giancarlo Giorgetti. And then the Minister of the Environment Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, that of Justice Carlo Nordio, that of the Interior Matteo Piantedosi, the owner of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, the minister of Tourism Daniela Santanché. At the opening of the proceedings, the 24 Hours Group will present the “Manifesto for financial education” with the 10 principles underlying the promotion of education and culture on the subject.