Planning public investments for recovery

It is widely believed that, as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, we are experiencing a revival of Global Nationalism, which appears destined to revive the old inefficiencies of the past; moreover, the new statism is still interpreted according to the classic, old-fashioned State vs. Market dichotomy. Starting from this assumption, the aim of this paper is to challenge these mainstream views, offering a different interpretation of the possible role of public intervention in the context of the current crisis. In particular, it will be discussed the possibility of establishing a circular dialogue between national and European institutions. First of all, the crisis is analyzed as a possible instrument of European integration law, thus determining the opportunity for the European legal system to generate a “crisis” law. Then, in the following sections, state-owned companies, the national promotional institutions, and public planning are analyzed as a mean to achieve the aforementioned “circular action” aimed at generating greater European integration. In particular, the role of public intervention in achieving the EU policy objectives relating to the green and digital transition of national economies will be investigated.