Marco Reguzzonientrepreneur originally from Busto Arsizioformer member of the Lombard League, president of the Province of Varese from 2002 to 2008 and group leader of the Northern League deputies in the Chamber from 2010 to 2012, returns to politics more than ten years later and does so through his candidacy for the next European elections of 8 and 9 June. Reguzzoni, born in 1971, from Lombardy but with a strong bond with Liguria, is an independent candidate on the lists of Forza Italia in the North West Constituencyin support of European People’s Party.
Reguzzoni, what are the main requests that Piedmont must present to Brussels?
Piedmont embodies the great values of Northern Italy. On the one hand there is industrial production, which must be defended from the onslaught of unfair competition from countries that act outside the rules such as China and India. On the other hand there is agriculture, so precious and yet subjected to actions that undermine its stability, given that our tables threaten to be invaded by poor quality products, passed off as DOC, with enormous economic and image damage. And then there is tourism, another great resource that we must enhance at all costs.
What do you intend to do?
Anyone who knows me knows that I have the soul of an engineer and the pragmatism of an entrepreneur. I’m only interested in doing concrete and useful things. This is demonstrated by my history as a parliamentarian and as a public administrator, starting from the law to defend textiles that bears my name, 55/2010 “Reguzzoni-Versace”, which simply provides that a product, in order to be able to boast the “made in Italy” must be done in Italy. An almost banal thing, but it doesn’t happen that way. Today, and the person who gave it its name says so, my law is ineffective, because a product that enters a French customs and goes onto the German market is obviously not subject to an Italian law. We need a European regulation on product labeling to defend our Made in Italy, both in the textile and agri-food sectors. If we do not act immediately, in addition to production, we will also lose our reputation because European consumers will buy inferior products passed off as Italian.
Has he remained federalist as in the days of the League?
Fundamentalist federalist, as Gianfranco Miglio said. I believe in the strength of municipalities and territories, but from a pro-European perspective, certainly not dependent on a centralist state, too large to have certain attentions and too small to have an impact on major issues. This is why I don’t recognize myself in those who want to escape from Europe: it certainly needs to be changed, but that’s where the great challenges take place. Young people, in this sense, know this well.
In Piedmont there are also regional elections on 8 and 9 June. In many cities, municipal administrations are being renewed. The European elections risk being the least popular consultations…
Many believe that in Brussels and Strasbourg very generic decisions are made, on niche aspects, which do not impact our daily lives. That’s not true at all, just look at the housing directives green and eco-madness on engines. On the environment, immigration and many other central issues, the only real answer can come from Europe. I will go there to be in the EPP, that is, in the majority, because I want to influence the big choices, not stay in the opposition and complain.
And what can be done to protect businesses?
There are economic policies to be introduced and, above all, duties to be imposed on those who think of invading us with their low-cost products, made without caring about ecological sustainability and workers’ rights. We can no longer afford to lose and relocate companies like Magneti Marelli, an Italian excellence that over time has moved a large part of its production away from Italy.
Governor Alberto Cirio says that Piedmont, with the centre-right, has relaunched itself. Do you agree?
Data on industrial competitiveness and tourism confirm this. The railway relaunch plan is also very interesting. Cirio and his team are rightly working on a territorial program, but for this very reason we need someone who speaks the same language in Europe. I say it openly: Piedmont must express people who sincerely care about the needs of the North. We go to the European Parliament as representatives of a specific constituency and not to make the North pay taxes and tolls in order to finance the bridge over the Strait. I will be intransigent on this.
Is it an achievable goal?
Yes, if you go to Europe to count and not to be in the opposition, as the League has been doing for five years. The Piedmontese are hardworking people, they remember who allowed the 5 Stars to introduce the citizen’s income. And then we can no longer stand unprepared people in politics, because they let bureaucrats and financial lobbies dictate the line. I go to Europe with the mentality of an engineer (thanks to my first degree) and the knowledge of political science (my second degree), with my experience gained in institutions and that of an entrepreneur.
