Brussels -A €600 million fraud to the detriment of the European Union for misappropriation of resources from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, intended for Italy’s National Resilience and Recovery Plan (NRRP). The European Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) revealed a criminal organization at the end of an international investigation that led to 22 arrests in Italy, Austria, Slovakia, and Romania. Eight suspects are in pre-trial detention, whereas 14 suspects are under house arrest, and one accountant was prohibited from practicing his profession, the European Public Prosecution Office said.
The European Parliament Think Tank has taken stock of the situation in a study on the NRRP implementation in Italy, and critical issues have emerged. By the end of 2023, it appears that Italy had spent €43 billion, or 22 percent of the EU resources available for its National Recovery Plan, “which suggests the importance of the period through to August 2026 for full implementation, not least of its investment measures.” Italy appears behind schedule, and the Meloni government needs to speed up.
Yes, the executive branch itself. Analysts see central power as the key to successful reform and investment in the absence of a local government that is not considered up to the job. “Against the backdrop of a public administration still perceived as less effective than in most OECD countries, the implementation of related projects was considered behind schedule,” the study warns. “Putting a stronger focus on large and centrally managed projects, the 2023 revision of the NRRP is expected to increase the likelihood of full implementation,” according to the study’s authors.
