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Thousands march against the plan to build a massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainland

Thousands march against the plan to build a massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainland

LeMonde9 hours ago
Thousands of people marched in the Sicilian city of Messina on Saturday, August 9, to protest a government plan to build a bridge that would connect the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive €13.5-billion infrastructure project. Protesters staunchly oppose the Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference.
The idea to build a bridge to connect Sicily to the rest of Italy has been debated off and on for decades but always delayed due to these concerns. The project, however, took a major step forward when a government committee overseeing strategic public investments approved the plan this week.
Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the project's main political backer, called it "the biggest infrastructure project in the West." Salvini cited studies estimating the project would create up to 120,000 jobs annually and help stimulate economic growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more are invested in surrounding road and infrastructure improvements.
Opponents are not convinced by these arguments. They are also angry that about 500 families would have to be expropriated in order for the bridge to be built. "The Strait of Messina can't be touched," protesters shouted as they marched in Messina. Many carried banners that said "No Ponte" (No Bridge). Organizers estimated crowd size at 10,000 people.
The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7 kilometers with a suspended section of 3.3 kilometers. It would surpass Turkey's Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 meters to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin as early as late September or early October, pending approval from Italy's Court of Audit. Full construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion targeted between 2032 and 2033.
Plans for a bridge have been approved and canceled multiple times since the Italian government first solicited proposals for one in 1969. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration revived the project in 2023.
With three car lanes in each direction flanked by a double-track railway, the bridge would have the capacity to carry 6,000 cars an hour and 200 trains a day − reducing the time to cross the strait by ferry from up to 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Trains would save 2/12 hours in transit time, Salvini said.
The project could also support Italy's commitment to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP targeted by NATO, as the government has indicated it would classify the bridge as defense-related. Italy argues that the bridge would form a strategic corridor for rapid troop movements and equipment deployment, qualifying it as "security-enhancing infrastructure."
Environmental groups, however, have lodged complaints with the EU, citing concerns that the project would impact migratory birds. Italy's president has also insisted that the project remain subject to anti-mafia legislation that applies to all large-scale infrastructure projects. Salvini pledged that keeping organized crime out of the project was a top priority.
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Thousands march against the plan to build a massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainland
Thousands march against the plan to build a massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainland

LeMonde

time9 hours ago

  • LeMonde

Thousands march against the plan to build a massive bridge linking Sicily to Italy's mainland

Thousands of people marched in the Sicilian city of Messina on Saturday, August 9, to protest a government plan to build a bridge that would connect the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive €13.5-billion infrastructure project. Protesters staunchly oppose the Strait of Messina Bridge project over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the specter of mafia interference. The idea to build a bridge to connect Sicily to the rest of Italy has been debated off and on for decades but always delayed due to these concerns. The project, however, took a major step forward when a government committee overseeing strategic public investments approved the plan this week. Transport Minister Matteo Salvini, the project's main political backer, called it "the biggest infrastructure project in the West." Salvini cited studies estimating the project would create up to 120,000 jobs annually and help stimulate economic growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more are invested in surrounding road and infrastructure improvements. Opponents are not convinced by these arguments. They are also angry that about 500 families would have to be expropriated in order for the bridge to be built. "The Strait of Messina can't be touched," protesters shouted as they marched in Messina. Many carried banners that said "No Ponte" (No Bridge). Organizers estimated crowd size at 10,000 people. The proposed bridge would span nearly 3.7 kilometers with a suspended section of 3.3 kilometers. It would surpass Turkey's Canakkale Bridge by 1,277 meters to become the longest suspension bridge in the world. Preliminary work could begin as early as late September or early October, pending approval from Italy's Court of Audit. Full construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion targeted between 2032 and 2033. Plans for a bridge have been approved and canceled multiple times since the Italian government first solicited proposals for one in 1969. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration revived the project in 2023. With three car lanes in each direction flanked by a double-track railway, the bridge would have the capacity to carry 6,000 cars an hour and 200 trains a day − reducing the time to cross the strait by ferry from up to 100 minutes to 10 minutes by car. Trains would save 2/12 hours in transit time, Salvini said. The project could also support Italy's commitment to raise defense spending to 5% of GDP targeted by NATO, as the government has indicated it would classify the bridge as defense-related. Italy argues that the bridge would form a strategic corridor for rapid troop movements and equipment deployment, qualifying it as "security-enhancing infrastructure." Environmental groups, however, have lodged complaints with the EU, citing concerns that the project would impact migratory birds. Italy's president has also insisted that the project remain subject to anti-mafia legislation that applies to all large-scale infrastructure projects. Salvini pledged that keeping organized crime out of the project was a top priority.

EU Commission reacts to Poland's alleged misuse of recovery funds
EU Commission reacts to Poland's alleged misuse of recovery funds

Euronews

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  • Euronews

EU Commission reacts to Poland's alleged misuse of recovery funds

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Brexit sends Brits to Europe for Louboutins in a blow to UK luxury
Brexit sends Brits to Europe for Louboutins in a blow to UK luxury

Euronews

timea day ago

  • Euronews

Brexit sends Brits to Europe for Louboutins in a blow to UK luxury

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According to the EU's VAT directive, retailers in the bloc must provide shoppers with the option of reclaiming no less than 15%, with most countries applying an average rate of 20%, of the cost of the item. This can be particularly appealing when it comes to high-end or luxury items. Say you decide to buy the TikTok-viral Loewe Puzzle Bag during a trip to Paris or Spain. The small one retails at around €3,600 and the large one is currently priced at around €4,200, according to prices listed on Loewe's official website. With the VAT returns, you would get €700 back for the small bag and €840 for the big one. Suddenly, a weekend trip to the continent might seem more appealing. "So, they are spending hundreds of millions of additional euros on hotels, restaurants, transport, fun... at Britain's expense," the AIR report added, highlighting the blow to UK tourism. According to the Paris Tourism Office, there was a 44% spike in visitors from the UK visiting the French capital in 2023, the highest increase among European tourists in the ranking. No VAT-free benefits in the UK When the UK left the EU in January 2021, it proceeded to abolish its previous VAT scheme, citing cost and complexity. This made the UK the only major global shopping destination not offering VAT-free shopping to any international tourists. The only way you can currently buy VAT-free goods in the UK is if they are bought online and shipped directly to an address outside the UK. Northern Ireland has retained a VAT-free scheme, meaning that if you purchase goods there as an EU citizen and fly out within three months, you will get your VAT tax returned to you upon leaving. Even big-ticket items people buy at the airport — such as in the stores in the duty-free area — were stripped of the VAT-free status. So for UK travellers who would usually purchase laptops, smartphones or designer cosmetics at the airport, largely the same prices apply as the ones they pay in stores at home. Alcohol and tobacco purchases are exceptions, as these can be bought duty-free. Luxury retailers are furious Britain's luxury lobby is unhappy about the tax changes. Walpole — the official body representing Britain's luxury sector including Rolls-Royce, Burberry, and Harrods — published a study in May, claiming that luxury exports to the EU were "up to 43% lower than they may have been without Brexit". In the fashion and accessories sector alone, Brexit incurred a 64% loss. "This points to a substantial 'Brexit effect' on this industry which supports over 450,000 jobs and contributes £14.6 billion (€16.8bn) to the Exchequer" the report continues. Crucially, British luxury brands are not just losing sales to European rivals, they are also watching demand for UK-made goods slump across the EU and global markets. 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