Addressing the Commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the passing of Alcide de Gasperi at the Italian Chamber of Deputies, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that this is the time to make decisions that ensure the prosperity of our Union for future generations.
Mr President of the Republic, Mr President of the Chamber of Deputies, Mr Undersecretary, Mr President of the De Gasperi Foundation, Distinguished guests,
Today, we honour the legacy of someone who, like me, believed in the European project long before being entrusted with the responsibility of serving as President of the European Parliament.
I am delighted to be here with you, in the prestigious setting of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the passing of Alcide De Gasperi.
Alcide De Gasperi was a visionary, but his vision was not born from abstract ideals. It was shaped by the experience of living along the shifting fault lines of empires.
Born in Trentino, a land of borders and transitions, he lived through the transition between two eras. He was able to see beyond the borders and historical horizon. And thus, he imagined a united Europe, a world where diversity could represent the strength of a grand, shared project. His life is a testament to the incredible potential of every individual to become an agent of change. Every individual who dares to dream, has the audacity to act, and the courage to stay the course. This is the essence of Europe’s history.
De Gasperi understood that building a future for Italy, meant creating a future for Europe. A future different from the past. He recognised the need to compromise while remaining steadfast in his determination never to compromise on the values he believed in, and that we all believe in today.
Dear friends,
Seventy years ago, Alcide De Gasperi spoke of the future of our continent in a rapidly changing world. Today, it is our turn to speak on this subject: the future of Europe, in an even faster-changing world.
Nearly 1,000 days have passed since Russia's aggression at Europe’s doorstep. A war that Ukraine did not want, nor provoke, but has faced with incredible courage.
I am proud of how the European Union has come together and unwaveringly supported our Ukrainian allies. We overcame our fears of fuel shortages for heating our homes, of feeding our industries, and of protecting our families.
We stand firmly with Ukraine not only out of Christian compassion but because we understand that this is not just about Ukraine. This is about Europe. About our way of life. About the very strength and shape of the rules-based order.
It’s true that for a long time, we were lulled into a false sense of security, thinking there were lines on the map that armies would no longer cross. We were mistaken. Today, we continue working for peace, but there can be no peace without justice, dignity, and freedom. This is the tangible responsibility we bear in realising De Gasperi’s vision: the future, he said, "will not be built by force, nor by a desire for conquest, but by the patient application of democratic methods, the constructive spirit of agreement, and respect for freedom."
Our support for Ukraine must not waver. Just as our commitment to building a true Union of Security and Defence, complementary to NATO and not in competition with it, must remain firm. When we pool our resources, coordinate, innovate, and join forces for procurement and research, we not only become stronger – we become more efficient, more capable, and more agile. These aren’t new ideas. De Gasperi and his generation voiced these principles more than seven decades ago. And yet, we are still discussing them.
Moving forward requires political will. We need unity. And above all, we need the deep commitment to the European ideal that has always characterized the Italian political class. The same commitment we felt when addressing the migration challenge, an issue that continues to dominate our debates and discussions, not only in Italy but across the continent.
The Migration and Asylum Pact, adopted earlier this year after a decade of political impasse, offers a path forward. It will protect our borders, but also be fair to those entitled to protection. It will be firm with those who are not and must be swiftly and safely returned. And most importantly, it will be uncompromising towards trafficking networks that exploit the vulnerable and turn migration into a weapon.
In 1951, when De Gasperi spoke of the importance of “defending ourselves from within,” he meant that if we want to move forward, we must do more to cultivate a culture of mutual trust, solidarity, and understanding. These are the principles underpinning the Schengen Area. Trust in our partners to manage external borders has allowed us to eliminate internal controls within the Union. This is a European success that must not be put in doubt.
This means ensuring that no member state, not Italy or any other, feels left alone to deal with an issue that requires a truly European approach. So yes, we must need to remove the toxicity from this debate, which cuts to the core of what it means to be European. We can do this by keeping Europe’s proud, human-centred approach, by never forgetting that we are talking about human beings, not faceless statistics. We can do this by implementing the Pact, standing by each other, explaining, and taking action.
There is still work to be done. Only a coordinated European approach can guarantee the integrity of our Schengen area and continue the work of those who came before us.
Seventy years after his death, would Alcide De Gasperi recognize the European project he helped create? Would he see the same courageous spirit in us as we face the difficult decisions ahead? Looking to the future, we must double our efforts to provide greater security for our people, to make our societies more equitable, and to provide better prospects for our citizens. That promise of Europe requires us to focus on European competitiveness and strengthen economic recovery. This is the key.
Throughout our continent, too many people are still struggling. They find it hard to secure decent work and even afford a home. Too many feel left behind. Too many feel excluded.
When people look to us, they must see solutions and leadership.
Our plan for Europe must help our industries in this era of transformation to enable faster economic growth. A plan that gives people a sense of hope and purpose, lifting them out of unemployment and creating quality jobs. And crucially, a plan that builds a strong industrial base capable of competing globally.
How will it work? By creating the right conditions and environments for our start-ups and SMEs to grow and stay in Europe. This means increasing productivity, fostering innovation, and accelerating investments in our industrial capabilities. It means concluding new trade agreements.
It also means reducing excessive bureaucracy, which risks stifling progress. In Italy – and across Europe – small business owners, family businesses, and multinationals alike face little help and too many closed doors. Bureaucracy complicates things, makes Europe seem distant, and pushes people towards extreme political fringes. We must address this and simplify our processes if we want citizens to maintain their trust in us.
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen,
Politics is about making tough choices. This is the time to make decisions that ensure the prosperity of our Union for future generations.
On this solemn occasion, one of the many lessons we can draw from Alcide De Gasperi’s life and legacy is that there is more to gain than to lose for our nations, for our peoples, when they stand together.
Europe unites in diversity and does not seek to make everyone the same, but embraces our differences and ensures everyone can fulfil their potential.
Being Italian and being European are not antithetical concepts. Just as being Roman and being Italian are not contradictions.
This is the Europe envisioned by Alcide De Gasperi: a Europe where borders do not limit ambitions, where cooperation leads to shared prosperity. A Europe we must continue to build for those who come after us. A Europe based on values that offer solutions.
Today and every day, we remember him. We honour his legacy and will realise his vision.
Thank you.
You can read the President's speech in Italian here.