(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 24 - It is time for everyone to step up to the plate on the huge post-COVID EU-funded National Recovery and Resilience Plan to ensure it is implemented by the end-date of 2026, President Sergio Mattarella told the National Conference of Chambers of Commerce in Florence on Friday.
    "Now is the time for everyone, starting with the implementation of the NRRP, to roll up their sleeves and start shoveling," he said.
    Matteralla thus quoted late former Premier and Christian Democrat (DC) statesman Alcide De Gasperi, who with this expression invited the 'Dossettian' faction of the DC to make an active contribution to the party's action.
    Mattarella went on to stress the importance of ensuring progress for the whole of Italy, acting in the national interest.
    "There is consistency in the design of the future outlined by the EU and Italy is proud to be part of it. Today, however, there are also heavy consequences in the economic sector, for example with inflation. It is a challenge that concerns our entire system. We know that participation and unity are essential for cohesion; there can be no divide between the economy and society. Progress must be ensured for the whole country. (We must have) participation and unity, which the Constitution indicates to us for the performance of activities of general interest," he said. (ANSA).