In Italy, over the years, lobbies and power groups have obstructed the liberalization of markets and favored the protection of existing privileges. Despite various attempts to promote competition, such as the Law for the Market and Competition passed a year ago, the process has been riddled with delays, amendments and compromises that have weakened the law. Pressure from various lobbies led to the deletion of several important provisions. For example, due to pressure from pharmacists, the sale of Band C drugs in supermarkets and parapharmacies was skipped. Other provisions removed include the portability of pension funds, the sale of boxes or garages worth less than one hundred thousand euros without a notarized deed, the protected energy market, and the Postal Service monopoly. In addition, the rule on RCA tariffs was withdrawn after protests from insurance companies, while the diatribe between taxi drivers and Uber was postponed for a separate measure. Professional associations, such as lawyers and dentists, opposed measures that undermined their interests, such as the requirement for lawyers to have a quote or the requirement that dental companies be at least two-thirds owned by registered members. Other categories, such as hoteliers, called for a ban on Airbnb in the country. The lack of competitive markets is one of the main reasons Italy has not experienced economic growth in recent years. However, pressure groups continue to defend their privileges, hindering economic liberalization. The International Monetary Fund study indicates that true liberalization could grow Italy's GDP in a few years, but lobbies seem to be able to prevent such changes.
In Italy over the years lobbies and power groups have obstructed the liberalization of markets and favored the protection of existing privileges Despite various attempts to promote competition such as the Law for the Market and Competition passed a year ago the process has been riddled with delays amendments and compromises that have weakened the law Pressure from various lobbies led to the deletion of several important provisions For example due to pressure from pharmacists the sale of Band C drugs in supermarkets and parapharmacies was skipped Other provisions removed include the portability of pension funds the sale of boxes or garages worth less than one hundred thousand euros without a notarized deed the protected energy market and the Postal Service monopoly In addition the rule on RCA tariffs was withdrawn after protests from insurance companies while the diatribe between taxi drivers and Uber was postponed for a separate measure Professional associations such as lawyers and dentists opposed measures that undermined their interests such as the requirement for lawyers to have a quote or the requirement that dental companies be at least two-thirds owned by registered members Other categories such as hoteliers called for a ban on Airbnb in the country The lack of competitive markets is one of the main reasons Italy has not experienced economic growth in recent years However pressure groups continue to defend their privileges hindering economic liberalization The International Monetary Fund study indicates that true liberalization could grow Italy's GDP in a few years but lobbies seem to be able to prevent such changes