In the communications item of the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale) session, councillor Giovanni Francesco Ugolini (PDCS) drew up a balance sheet for the midpoint of the legislature — covering public finances and the Association Agreement with the European Union — and pointed to the exodus of qualified young people as the country’s real unresolved problem.
Below is the full speech delivered by Giovanni Francesco Ugolini (PDCS).
Your Excellencies, fellow councillors,
we are at the midpoint of the legislature, and for anyone involved in politics who cares about their role and feels a sense of responsibility toward the people of this country who voted for them, this is an important moment. At least I, personally, feel that way — and I would venture to say my whole party shares this particular sense of duty at this juncture. The first point of responsibility is the implementation of the government’s programme, which serves as the yardstick for how effectively a majority is functioning and as a thermometer of the mood in the country.
Our commitment to citizens was to bring stability to the public accounts, to present a solid economy of scale that would inspire confidence in the country, in potential investors, and in international oversight bodies — and, given the unanimous external recognition and the rise in our credit rating to levels not seen in a long time, we can say that mission accomplished.
The dark winds blowing menacingly over the world and over Europe clearly bring difficulties to countries, to governments, and above all to families — including our own families.
No one should think we are unaware of this. All the more reason why, in such a particular moment, having economic stability as a state is essential. I dare not imagine how we would face the challenges ahead of us if we were in the situation of just a few years ago — not even that long ago — when we were discredited, in decline, in a word: not credible.
Today we are so credible that, through hard work and expertise, and overcoming recent and unexpected obstacles, Europe welcomes us, recognises us, and has sealed with us an association agreement that I do not hesitate to call historic, opening up — if we prove capable — prospects and opportunities for the Republic of San Marino that were unimaginable until recently. I take this opportunity once again to express the esteem that our party, the Grand and General Council, and I hope the whole country, owe to Foreign Minister Luca Beccari (Segretario di Stato per gli Affari Esteri) for the work done and the extraordinary result achieved. In reflecting on what has restored the country’s credibility, I would not overlook the decisive and steady role played by our Court, and in particular the competence of the Court’s director, whose mandate this chamber confirmed with an appropriate measure that went well beyond the governing majority.
The structural measures adopted in the field of justice, the speed of investigations and trials, and — let us say it plainly — the courage and dignity shown, the decision to fear nothing, including punishing those within the system who fail to fulfil their fundamental role as guarantors of justice, have all helped make the state and its institutions more credible still.
Recent news reports describing how the reckless complicity of an unmentionable figure, who guaranteed certain protections, caused enormous damage to our image — not to mention the substance — in the banking sector, with economic harm to our system and a difficulty, born of mistrust in this field, in identifying other credible, reliable, potential operators.
I am convinced that, before too long, things will change in this sector too: the Association Agreement and further talks with neighbouring Italy will bear fruit. In the meantime, however, there is a problem to address today, namely Banca di San Marino. I will not go into the merits of the matter, as I have neither the information nor the expertise to do so. I simply urge that the situation be handled with care and that all options be weighed. I am confident the best possible approach will be pursued. Managed through shared solutions, this must be the starting point for relaunching the banking sector. San Marino cannot do great things in this field — events over time have shown as much — but that does not mean we cannot find paths within finance where we can carve out space. Specialising in a given sector, promoting partnerships, training staff, and strengthening the regulatory framework for that specific niche is what we should be doing.
The budget adjustment (assestamento di bilancio) will show that the accounts balance and that our forecasts have proven accurate. What I want to stress is the need for the government and the majority to work on a genuine, concrete development plan. The choices made so far, and the prudence applied across every sector, have proven to be the winning path. But now, returning to the Association Agreement, is the moment to push forward with bold choices. We must no longer be afraid of major investment in our country. Now that the domestic and international conditions for a turning point have been created, we must not stop. We need to tackle cross-border financial services, strengthen the health and wellness tourism sector — the project to promote art works and auctions is excellent — and in this field further finance and facilitate start-ups that bring innovation and new technologies. Our Trust law is excellent and deserves greater promotion; we should finalise our legislation on cryptocurrencies, since the world is heading in that direction. I could go on — these sectors will create job opportunities for our young people. Today the real problem is that even our best young people are going, or are forced to go, abroad in search of work. For this reason, it would be worth promoting “forums” to bring together young people, institutions, and business partners around joint development initiatives on shared themes identified together — this would make everyone more professional and competent, and the country would clearly benefit. Above all, it would help make the path to opportunity more competitive and, let’s be honest, more democratic; I know it isn’t the case, but the idea is taking root in this country that some people can do everything while others can do nothing.
We cannot allow this — it is not the country we want. It is not the country of our forefathers. But as new opportunities open up — and believe me, they will — the path to access them must be open to everyone.
And here we return to an old argument: everyone is needed. Especially in this chamber, majority and opposition united to guarantee rights for all. We have never believed that a large majority is a guarantee of stability, nor that an opposition small in numbers cannot, in practical and political terms, be just as effective.
We are a small community — everyone is needed.
After all, it has already happened. On the Association Agreement, despite outside forces doing everything they could to obstruct its progress, this chamber as a whole held firm, and we succeeded. As a citizen of this country, I hope this will not be the only example, but that it will happen again.
Thank you.
