The new Draghi government backs parliament in the inclusion of the concept of sustainable development in the Italian Constitution. Prime Minister Mario Draghi made explicit reference to this during his closing remarks to the Senate, ahead of the confidence vote on his new executive. "The environment is the foundation of intergenerational justice," Draghi said. "I know the Senate is debating this matter in the form of a constitutional bill: the government confirms its commitment to moving in this direction."

Draghi is referring to a number of constitutional reform bills — four in total — filed in the Senate between 2018 and 2019, all of which aim to amend one or more articles of the constitution. In particular, the bill tabled in 2018 by senators Collina, Marcucci, Ferrari and Ferrazzi calls for amendments to articles 2 and 9, which concern fundamental principles, and article 41, included in the section governing economic relations, which in the new version would read as follows:

• Article 2: The Republic recognises and guarantees the inviolable rights of the individual, both as a person and as a member of the social groups in which their personality finds expression, and requires the fulfilment of the inescapable duties of political, economic and social solidarity, also towards future generations.
• Article 9: The Republic promotes the development of culture and scientific and technical research. It safeguards the landscape and the historical and artistic heritage of the Nation. It recognises and guarantees the protection of the environment as a fundamental right of the individual and an interest of the community. It promotes the conditions for sustainable development.
• Article 41: Private economic initiative is free. It may not be carried out in conflict with social utility or in such a way as to cause harm to the environment, to safety, to freedom or to human dignity. The law determines the appropriate programmes and controls so that public and private economic activity may be directed and coordinated towards social ends and sustainable development.

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Enrico Giovannini ha giurato come Ministro delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti del governo di Mario Draghi. Calorosi auguri e buon lavoro al nostro Portavoce da tutta l'ASviS!

♥ 467💬 15 13 feb 2021 · Apri su X →

It is no coincidence that among the ministers of the Draghi government is Enrico Giovannini, former spokesperson of the Alleanza italiana per lo sviluppo sostenibile, which for five years has been pressing for the inclusion of this concept — broadly defined as a form of development that allows the present generation to meet its own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. The legislative process for the approval of the bill has never gotten under way, because a constitutional reform requires a qualified majority of two thirds: now, with the explicit backing of a new government commanding an extremely broad majority, the reform could undergo a sudden acceleration.