The implementation of NRRP policies between politics and policy. An interest group perspective

ABSTRACT

In Italy, the effective implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) represents an even greater and more difficult challenge than its formulation. Implementation of the majority of the ambitious projects outlined in the plan and the required policy reforms necessitates the active participation of economic and social stakeholders, interest groups and major corporations, and a swift improvement in administrative capacities – especially at the sub-national government level. Analysing the implementation of the NRRP from the perspective of interest groups provides crucial insights into its potential impact on the Italian economy, society and political system. This viewpoint also illuminates the intricate connections between politics and policy in managing cross-sectoral reforms with substantial financial resources. Therefore, utilizing process tracing methodology allows for an in-depth analysis of the implementation of sectoral policies, unveiling causal mechanisms, identifying key actors, and recognizing evolving trends in policies central to the Plan itself, such as those related to competition, justice and the green and digital transitions. The outcomes are not self-evident, and the transformative dynamics within different policy sectors warrant systematic attention from both scholars and policymakers.

KEYWORDS:

• Interest groups
• implementation
• Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan
• process tracing

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The Italian NRRP, is now valued at €194.4 billion, incorporating the €2.7 billion from RePowerEU and the recalculation of €146 million in the grant portion. The plan includes 66 reforms, seven more than the original proposal, and 150 investments (www.italiadomani.gov.it/it/home.html).Under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), Italy has received €85.4 billion thus far, comprising €24.9 billion in pre-financing and a total disbursement of €60.5 billion for the first three payments (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6050).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Luca Germano

Luca Germano is an Associate Professor in Political Science at the University of Roma Tre, Department of Political Science. His main research interests and publications are in the fields of lobbying and interest group politics, comparative public policy, business and politics.

Renata Lizzi

Renata Lizzi is an Associate professor of Political Science at the University of Bologna, Department of Political and Social Sciences.