Message from the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella to the Parliament on the day of his swearing in

 

Presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and of the Senate of the Republic,

Esteemed members of Parliament and regional delegates,

the Parliament and the representatives of the Regions have made their decision.

I have received a new - and unexpected - call to responsibility; which, however, I cannot and do not intend to shirk.

I therefore return to this Assembly, to the highest place of democratic representation, which represents the full expression of the will of the people.

I thank you for the trust you have shown in me by calling me for the second time to represent the unity of the Republic.

I will fulfil my duty according to the principles and norms of the Constitution, which I have just renewed my oath of allegiance to, and which I have tried to abide by at all times during the past seven years.

My actions will continue to be guided by the letter and the spirit of our Charter.

At this very moment my thoughts go out to all the Italians: of every age and gender, of every Region, of every social condition, of every political orientation. And, in particular, to those who are suffering, who expect the institutions of the Republic to guarantee their rights, offer reassurance, support and answers to their distress.

These expectations would have been severely compromised by a lengthened state of deep political uncertainty and tensions, the consequences of which could have jeopardized crucial resources and prospects for relaunching the country, committed to emerging from an extremely difficulty condition.

This awareness was made clear to me in the Parliament's vote that ended the troubled days of the last week.

Troubled for everyone, even for me.

This same awareness is the reason behind my assent and it will be at the heart of my commitment as President of our Republic in fulfilling this new mandate.

When the Presidents of the Chamber and Senate informed me of the outcome of the vote, I spoke of the challenges - medical, economic and social - that we are facing. We cannot afford delays or uncertainties.

The fight against the virus is not over, the vaccination campaign has greatly reduced the risks, but we cannot become careless.

It is clearly evident that the resumption of all activities is linked to the spread of vaccines that protect ourselves and others.

This commitment goes hand in hand with that of the recovery, of building our future.

Italy is a great country.

The spirit of initiative of the Italians, their creativity and solidarity, the extraordinary commitment of our companies, the choices of the institutions have permitted us to restart. They have enabled the economy to achieve results that now place us in the Union's leading group. But, in order for this recovery to become consolidated and not short-lived, planning, innovation, investments in social capital and a real leap in efficiency of the country-system are required.

New difficulties have arisen. Households and businesses will have to deal with increases in energy prices. The scarcity and price increase of some goods that are fundamental for the productive sectors is a real concern.

We are living in an extraordinary phase wherein the political agenda is largely defined by the shared European strategy.

Italy is at the centre of Europe's recovery efforts. We are the major beneficiaries of the Next Generation program and we must relaunch the economy in the name of sustainability and innovation, as part of the ecological and digital transition.

Therefore, the stability that is called for is comprised of dynamism, work and team effort.

The hard times we have had to live through have taught us a lesson: we must equip ourselves with new tools in order to prevent potential future global dangers, in order to manage the consequences of such, in order to secure our fellow citizens.

The endeavour that is being launched calls for everyone's contribution.

Political and social forces, local and central institutions, businesses and trade unions, public administration and the self-employed, young and old, cities and inland areas, island and mountain communities. We have all been summoned.

Doctors, health workers, volunteers, those who ensured essential services in the most critical moments, mayors, the Armed Forces and the Police, committed to supporting the vaccination campaign, have been an example to us all: our gratitude goes out to each one.

This is the horizon that lies before us.

We must design and start building post-emergency Italy over the next few years.

This is still a time for a common commitment to make our homeland stronger, far beyond the difficulties of this moment.

A fairer, more modern Italy, deeply linked to the friendly peoples around us.

A country that grows in unity.

Where inequalities - territorial and social - in our communities decrease.

An Italy that offers its youth study and work paths to ensure the cohesion of our people.

An Italy that knows how to overcome the demographic decline which it appears Europe has been doomed to.

An Italy that benefits from the promotion of its beauties, offering its own model of life to those around the world who gaze upon it with admiration.

An Italy committed to defending the environment, biodiversity, ecosystems, aware of its responsibilities towards future generations.

A Republic capable of re-establishing the constitutional pact between Italians and their free and democratic institutions.

Strengthening Italy also means enabling it to guide the process to relaunch Europe, so that it becomes more efficient and just; bringing stability and structure to the turning point that took place in the most trying times of the pandemic.

Italy's contribution is indispensable: ideas, proposals, consistency in the commitments undertaken are needed.

The Conference on the future of Europe cannot be resolved in a dismal passage devoid of historical vision, but must rather be the chance to courageously define a Union that takes a leading role within the international community.

In compliance with the choices of our Constitution, the Republic has always pursued a policy of peace. In it, with firm adherence to the principles that inspire the United Nations, the North Atlantic Treaty, the European Union, we have constantly promoted mutually respectful dialogue between the various parties so that the principles of cooperation and justice prevail.

For many decades, European countries have enjoyed the peace dividend, made concrete by European integration and heightened by the end of the Cold War.

We cannot accept that now, without even the pretext of competition between different political and economic systems, the wind of confrontation should arise once more, in a continent that has experienced the tragedies of the First and Second World Wars.

We must appeal to our resources and to those of allied and friendly countries so that displays of strength give way to mutual understanding, so that no people should fear aggression from their neighbours.

The peoples of the European Union must also be cognizant of the fact that they have a role to play in supporting the stabilization and peace processes in the troubled Mediterranean and Middle Eastern landscape. There is no escaping the challenges of history and related responsibilities.

All these issues - both internally and internationally - are ones that the government led by President Draghi is intensely committed to; a government which came about, with broad parliamentary support, in the midst of the medical emergency and is now projected to overcome it, laying the foundations for a new season of sustainable growth for our country and Europe. To the Government I express my sincere thanks and best wishes for your work.

The great changes we are experiencing at a global level call for quick, innovative, far-sighted solutions, which look at the complexity of the problems and not only at specific interests.

I also with to make an observation on the functioning of our democracy, at all levels.

The speed at which change is occurring calls, once again, to the need for the constant implementation of democracy.

Authentic democracy requires dutiful compliance with the rules of decision making, discussion and participation. The need to govern increasingly rapid changes requires timely responses. Timeliness that must, in any case, be supported by an indispensable in-depth study of the issues that enables precise choices.

In order to protect the general interest, we must needs avoid the solving of problems without the intervention of the institutions: this eventuality always translates to the advantage of those in conditions of greater strength.

Supranational economic powers tend to prevail and impose themselves, bypassing the democratic process.

On another level, authoritarian or autocratic regimes deceptively attempt to appear more efficient, to superficial eyes, than democratic ones, whose decisions, based on free consent and social involvement, are, instead, more solid and effective.

The challenge - which arises at a global level - for the safeguarding of democracy concerns everyone and above all the institutions.

It will depend, first of all, on the strength of Parliament, on the high quality of the work that is being carried out there, on the necessary procedural adjustments.

Two indispensable requirements must be kept together: respect for democratic guarantees and, at the same time, timely decision-making.

That is why the role of Parliament, as a place for participation, is crucial. The place where consensus is built around the decisions that are made. The place where politics recognizes, promotes ​​and introduces into the institutions the very heart that emerges from civil society.

Just as the role and space of local government autonomies is decisive. The pluralism of institutions, experienced with a spirit of collaboration - as we saw during the pandemic - strengthens democracy and society.

It is not for me to outline reformative paths that must be followed. But we must know that the quality of our democracy will depend upon the answers given to these issues.

However, what appears necessary - in the vital collaborative dialogue between Government and Parliament - is that, particularly on the fundamental acts of government of the country, the Parliament is always placed in such a position as to be able to examine and evaluate them in an adequate time frame. The forced compression of parliamentary times is certainly no less of a risk than unjustified and harmful delays in time.

An orderly recourse to the various legislative sources, respecting the limits set by the Constitution, is also necessary.

The quality itself and the prestige of the representation depend, to a non-marginal extent, on the ability of the political parties to express what emerges in the various spheres of economic and social life, to encourage participation, to train in the exchange of ideas.

The political parties are called upon to respond to the opening questions that come from citizens and social forces.

Without engaging political parties, as well as without intermediate social bodies, citizens find themselves alone and increasingly defenceless. They must be able to rely on politics as a civil way to express their ideas and, at the same time, their belonging to the Republic.

The Parliament has a very important task ahead because, through new rules, it can foster a season of participation.

We must, also on the ethical and cultural level – in the midst of difficult moments - solicit this passion which in many ways is expressed in our community. Firstly, all young people, all of them, especially them, feel the responsibility of taking on the future of the country, bringing innovation and enthusiasm to politics and institutions.

I bid a respectful greeting to the Constitutional Court, a stronghold of the principles of our Charter.

As I extend my greetings to our Judiciaries - a fundamental element of the constitutional system and society life - I would like to emphasize that a profound process of reform must also affect the justice front.

Too long has it been a battleground that has often made us lose sight of the interests of the community.

In safeguarding the indispensable principles of autonomy and independence of the Judiciary - one of the cornerstones of our Constitution - the judicial system and the system of autonomous governance of the Judiciary must correspond to the pressing needs of efficiency and credibility as required, with good reason, by the citizens.

It is essential that the announced reforms immediately come to completion so that the Superior Council of the Judiciary can carry out its proper function in full, enhancing the undisputed high professionalism which the Judiciary can count on, overcoming mind-sets of belonging which, by constitutional establishment, must remain extraneous to the Judicial order.

Hence a profound rigor must be recovered.

In the High Council I have long highlighted that independence and autonomy are precious and basic principles of the Constitution but that their protection lies in the conscience of the citizens: this feeling has been greatly weakened and it must be found anew with all urgency.

Citizens must be able to have conviction and not mistrust of justice and the Judiciary order. Nor should they be afraid of the risk of arbitrary or unpredictable decisions which, contrary to legal certainty, affect people's lives.

The sensitive nature of the crucial responsibility that the Republic entrusts to the magistrates must always be perceived.

The Judiciary and the Advocacy are called to ensure that the reform process takes place, ensuring that the justice function fully recovers prestige and credibility, aligning it with European standards.

To the Armed Forces, ever more an instrument of peace, a significant element in the Republic's international policy, to the Police Forces, a guarantee of freedom in security, I express my appreciation, as well as once more proffering my condolences to those who have lost their lives while fulfilling their duty.

As I proffer my greeting to the accredited Diplomatic Corps, I thank them for the friendship and collaboration they have conveyed to our country.

I extend warm greetings to our many compatriots present in the most diverse parts of the globe, as well as with my recognition for the contribution they are making to the promotion of the Italian identity around the world.

To Pope Francis, whose magisterium Italy looks to with great respect, I convey the gratitude of the Italian people.

I wish to convey a message of friendship to the numerous foreign communities present in Italy: their affection for our country, where they have chosen to live, and their contribution to our society life are truly precious.

Italy is, quintessentially, the country of beauty, the arts and culture. So, with good reason, the rest of the world looks to us.

Culture is not the superfluous: it is a constitutive element of Italian identity.

Let us ensure that this heritage of skill and achievements - which must be preserved and sustained - becomes even more a resource able to generate knowledge, moral growth and a factor of economic development. A particularly important resource for those young people who view universities, publishing, the arts, theatre, music and cinema as a profession in line with their aspirations.

Allow me to bring to mind, to pay homage to, a great star of our cinema and our country: Monica Vitti.

We support a school that knows how to welcome and transmit competence and culture, as a set of values ​​and principles that are the bedrock of the reasons for our being together; school aimed at ensuring equal conditions and opportunities.

Building a more modern Italy is our task.

But in order for modernity to sustain the quality of life and an open social model, motivated by freedom, rights and solidarity, we must take up the fight against inequalities and poverty as the backbone of public policies.

In the last period employment indexes have risen - and this is an important statistic - but many women are still excluded from work, and female marginality is one of the slowdown factors in our development, as well as a sign of civil, cultural and human underdevelopment.

Many, too many young people are often forced into precarious and poorly paid jobs, when they are not confined to existential peripheries.

We must listen to the voice of the students, who feel all the difficulties of their future and try to express needs, questions aimed at overcoming imbalances and contradictions.

Equal social dignity is a cornerstone of a just and effective development.

Inequalities are not the price to pay for growth. Rather, they are the brake on any real prospect of growth.

Our task - as the Constitution prescribes - is to remove the obstacles.

Alongside the social dimension of dignity, there is an ethical and cultural meaning that concerns the value of people and involves the whole of society.

Dignity.

Dignity is eliminating deaths at work, which hurt society and the conscience of each of us. Because the safety of every worker in the workplace is about the value we give to life.

No more tragedies like that of young Lorenzo Parelli, who entered the factory for a work-related learning project.

Nearly every day we are forcefully reminded of this primary duty of our country.

Dignity is opposing racism and anti-Semitism, intolerable aggressions, not only to minorities who become the object of physical or verbal violence, but to the conscience of each of us.

Dignity is preventing violence against women, a great and unacceptable scourge that must be vigorously opposed and healed with the strength of culture, education and example.

Our dignity is questioned by migration, especially when we are unable to defend the right to life, when we deny others human dignity.

It is above all our dignity that forces us to fight, without respite, the trafficking and slavery of human beings.

Dignity is the right to study, fighting against early school leaving, eliminating the technological and digital divide.

Dignity is respect for the elderly who cannot be abandoned to loneliness, nor can they be left without a role that engages them.

Dignity is fighting poverty, desperate and hopeless precariousness that unfortunately mortifies the hopes of many.

Dignity is not having to be forced to choose between work and motherhood.

Dignity is a country where prisons are not overcrowded and ensure the social reintegration of prisoners. This is also our best guarantee of security.

Dignity is a country that is not distracted by the daily problems that people with disabilities have to face. We trust in a country capable of removing the unmotivated obstacles that they encounter in their day-to-day life.

Dignity is a country free from mafias, from the blackmail of crime, also free from the connivance of those who pretend not to see.

Dignity is ensuring and guaranteeing the right of citizens to free and independent information.

Dignity, therefore, as the cornerstone of our commitment, of our civil passion.

To this regard - in conclusion - I would like to call to mind in this room the President of another Parliamentary Assembly, the European one, David Sassoli.

His testimony as a meek and courageous man, always open to dialogue and able to represent democratic institutions at the highest levels, has entered the soul of our fellow citizens.

"Best wishes to our hope" were his last words in public.

After having just said: "We are the hope".

Here we are, together, responsible for the future of our Republic.

Long live the Republic, long live Italy!