Interview with Gian Carlo Venturini: “The government program must be carried forward. September must be the month of reforms”
Gian Carlo Venturinisecretary of the PDCS, breaks the silence a few hours before the start of the 49th Friendship Party and gives Libertas an all-out interview, prodding majority colleagues and Secretaries of State towards what he considers an obligatory path: to lose the controversy and bring the government program will be completed starting from the reforms.
Venturini, let’s start immediately from the strictness: how to respond harshly accused by your Domani Motus Liberi and the current development plan by the Secretary Righi?
“Look, I understand certain policies and I realize that in a large majority like the current one there are different sensitivities and reasoning. But it is unthinkable to jeopardize the holding of the majority with the unscrupulous function. We know well what are the things to do: they are those contained in the government program signed by us and by our allies ”.
It accuses you of criticism and blocks the initiatives promoted by Fabio Righi – Motus, such as San Marino 2030 and the agreement with Amazon Aws, but at the same time of carrying out equally risky proposals such as the project for the Economic District.
“They are different situations. And in any case, the proposal of the Special District still needs to be studied in depth. The necessary investigations must be made in every single aspect, verifying with clarity and transparency the possible opportunities or constraints that may arise from this choice, always safeguarding our Sovereignty. Nothing has been decided yet ”.
And here is the second accusation: that of inaction which also comes from some ally.
“There has been a certain slowdown but let’s not forget that we faced a pandemic first and then a war in Ukraine. Either way, the data tells us we can’t stop: we must carry out the reforms, intervening as soon as possible on the problems that have been looming for a long, long time ”.
It is a phrase that has been heard continuously in the Council for years… At what point are we on the actualization? And what reforms are we talking about?
“We are a good point. In recent weeks, after the last comparisons, there should be the filing of the pension and labor reform texts. Another important intervention is the revision of the General Income Tax which has already seen its presentation to political forces and to economic and financial categories. September will be the month of reforms also because there will be the Article 4 visit of the International Monetary Fund which is very important ”.
Then there is the agreement with Europe, which is a revolution rather than a reform. Strategy confirmed?
“The Association Agreement with the European Union is for me an essential opportunity for our Republic. Our goal, as clarified by Secretary Beccari, is to close it by the second half of 2023, given the political and economic importance of effective integration into the European internal market. Of course, we know that the specificities of our country can be particularly protected at the negotiating tables and that it will not be easy to overcome some obstacles.
But being part of a single market will give us considerable opportunities while San Marino remains a third state with its prerogatives. In particular, improving the offer and job opportunities for our young people, broadening horizons and seizing every prerogative for the development of San Marino.
However, it remains essential to present ourselves in Europe after completing the reforms that will shape the future of the country for the next few years ”.
Speaking of reforms, he did not mention the new Prg. At what point is it?
“The Secretariat of the Territory is presenting to update the Boeri project in the last legislature, combining territorial and environmental protection with economic development. It is not a simple challenge but it must be faced. We must indeed safeguard and enhance the landscape and the centers, but also think about the development of businesses and the infrastructures that the country needs “.
What infrastructures are we talking about?
“The Great and General Council indicated this in the guidelines approved in March:” School, social, health, hotel and cemetery buildings, waste management systems and excavated earth and rocks, sports facilities and the new structure health in relation to the environment “. Without to forget water and energy autonomy. On water it is an integrated management of resources and the use of an indispensable internal collection system. On energy we must combine efficiency, energy autonomy and environmental sustainability. Aware that courage and farsightedness are needed ”.
I don’t know why linking “courage” and “energy autonomy” comes to mind the word “waste”.
“I immediately cleared the field of possible misunderstandings: an incinerator is unthinkable in San Marino. Having said that, on the production of energy from unsorted waste, technology is making enormous progress in terms of innovation and safety ”.
We have not yet talked about health care … Yet it is at the center of continuous controversy, even within the ISS itself.
“I start by underlining how our health system has been able to withstand a global pandemic, net of inconveniences and delays in performance. Let’s not forget it. Having said that, we know that the health of San Marino is experiencing some difficulties and criticalities that are still partly to be resolved, such as the reorganization of territorial assistance.
It is necessary to make the best use of the human resources available, enhancing internal professionalism and favoring the professional training of staff. I would add that we must grow the ISS internal professionalism by trying to use them as a priority over external professionals and consultants. Also because this is the only way we can think of creating the conditions for a professional to choose to come to our facility “.
What about the tensions in the Executive Committee?
“Although it is normal to have diversity of ideas, the Executive Committee cannot fail in its functions and responsibilities. There can be no postponements or a decision that is not enough considered “.
Let’s go back to talking about the other political forces. How do you see the political turmoil of the last few weeks?
“I look with particular interest at the project launched by NPR and at the desire to aggregate the socialist area. The creation of a liberal, socialist pole, not tied to old dividing and personalistic logics but in step with the times, is really an important political fact.
I hope that the project is not a simple electoral political cartel but that it can become a real political formation that unites a very fragmented area and that overcomes the various internal divisions ”.
We close with a personal question. There are those who say that you are tired and less present than some time ago.
“I answer with a joke. Maybe someone would like me to slow down and be less present. The reality is that I have been working continuously for a long time for the good of my country and I will continue to do so as long as I can ”.
Davide Giardi