Italian centre-left coalition choses public ownership for water

(16 March 2006) The Italian coalition, called Unione (with Rifondazione comunista, radicals, DS, Margherita and catholics inside) round former European Commission President Prodi has come out fully in favour of public ownership of water companies. It says in its programme for the forthcoming Italian parliamentary elections (p.130): “Nel settore cruciale dell'acqua dovranno essere assunti criteri di massima sensibilità, di precauzione, di forte investimento programmatico. In questo caso la distinzione fra rete e servizio è più complessa. Entrambe le funzioni dovranno dunque rimanere pubbliche.”

 Translation: "the water crucial sector needs criteria of extreme sensitivity, caution and needs a strong place in the programme. In this case the distinction between network and service is more complex. Both must therefore remain public."