Renzi launches Unblock Italy decree and justice reform

(ANSA) - Rome, August 29 - The cabinet on Friday approved sweeping measures to revamp Italy's judicial, political and economic systems, including the government's so-called Unblock Italy decree designed to cut red tape, promote investments and lift the economy out of recession, its third in six years. Speaking after the meeting, Premier Matteo Renzi pledged 4.6 billion euros for five airport investments and 3.8 billion euros for projects "that are ready to be built". The cabinet also approved spending of 10 billion euros over "the next 12 months" on public works in Italy's impoverished south, including projects involving transportation connections between Napoli and Bari as well as Palermo and Messina. He confirmed the government will continue to offer his trademark 80-euro monthly tax bonus for some 11 million low-income Italians "for the next few years". The premier promised to take the battle against recession all the way to the EU, as he announced a summit on growth to take place October 6.
    Italy will stick to the EU-mandated 3% debt-to-GDP ratio, but there must be more flexibility, he added. "I don't think you can create jobs by decree," he said.
    The premier also said that his school reform package that may include the hiring of as many as 100,000 teachers will be made public Wednesday for debate.
    "The program is ready and the financial cover is also in place," he said.
    In what Renzi called "a revolution," the cabinet wen on to approve his justice reform measures designed to halve the backlog of civil cases now clogging Italy's courts and driving investors away. The measures will also make civil judges liable for negligence or malfeasance. As well, Renzi promised action on a controversial justice measure - making false financial statements once again a full-blown crime rather than merely a misdemeanour that doesn't earn a jail term. The law had previously been changed by ex-premier Silvio Berlusconi. Among other approved measures was a bill simplifying current norms on tenders and bringing them up to EU standards, Renzi said. "We will have the same rules in Italy as in the rest of Europe, and what is allowed in the European Union will also be allowed in Italy," he explained.
    The measures will begin to take effect early next year, said Renzi.