Most of the companies that provide primary services have growth in turnover, in profits and in dividends distributed to the shareholders. In the Mediobanca classification the following appear among the top ten: Eni(1), Enel(2), Telecom Italia(3) and Autostrade(5). Companies providing energy, electricity, connectivity, manage motorway connections in a substantial position of monopoly.
If these companies record high profits and the citizen suffers constant increases then something isn’t working. If tariffs, fixed costs, toll charges have the aim of distributing rich dividends to the shareholders, and not the development of the nation the Authorities have the right and the duty to intervene.
The essential services can be a stimulus to the development of the companies in competitive markets or they can cause distortions in the case of monopolies without real controls. Italy is today positioned in this second situation. The relaunch of the economy starts from services that are competitive in Europe in terms of quality and prices.
Furthermore, the pockets of citizens cannot be used to distribute dividends to shareholders by means of essential services. I find this profoundly immoral.