Speaking in a CoR plenary debate on rural areas in view of the European elections 2024, Mr Lorenzo Galligani stated that citizens in rural areas feel completely disconnected from the policy-making and decision-making in Brussels: "many do not even understand what's being asked of them especially when it comes to some of the most ideological policies of this mandate". Mr Galligani provided the example of the ban on the sale of combustion engine cars as of 2035 to illustrate his point.

"This is a very radical decision that will have serious and devastating impacts on many of our citizens, especially those in rural areas who are very much dependent on cars to get around. Not only are we talking about compromising thousands of jobs in the automotive sector but it's also a political decision that will wreak havoc on the purchasing power of our citizens". 

Mr Galligani also referred to the warning signs of growing discontent by European farmers, who were "promised opportunity yet received burdens instead". For him, these are the real concerns of people in rural areas, who often feel that their voices are not heard when it comes to these issues.

In view of the European elections 2024, Mr Galligani stated that it will be a chance to turn the page and adopt a new approach: "Policymakers have to stop designing EU policies and programmes with a centralised and ‘one size fits all’ approach"

The ECR member emphasized that rural development must become a political priority of the next EU mandate to ensure vibrant rural areas: "innovation, fair incomes and less red tape are the future for our farmers and our rural areas".