Budget, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “Serious and realistic maneuver of 24 billion”

A “very serious and realistic” maneuver that concentrates “the few available resources on those who need them most”. Giorgia Meloni thus photographs her first “real” budget law of “just under 24 billion euros” approved by the Council of Ministers. Green light, explains the Prime Minister, appearing at the press conference together with her deputies Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini and the owner of Mef Giancarlo Giorgetti, who arrived «in record time, in just over an hour, demonstrating the unity of views of the CDM and the majority who support the government.” For the Minister of Economy, it is a maneuver that “has its own solidity, I am confident that when it is read in detail it will be able to receive a favorable assessment from the EU and the markets as well as of the Italians who recently rewarded us by acquiring the Btp value”. The prime minister, before returning to Chigi to meet with the king of Jordan, says she is “proud” of the result because the finance company “does not waste resources on useless things, but concentrates them on some great priorities”. Meloni then thanks the government team for the expenditure review implemented “because most of this work was also done by asking ministries for sacrifices, from Palazzo Chigi”. «We all cut something in our expenses and in our operations, otherwise we would not have been able to bring these resources to families, workers, retirees – he emphasizes -. I think it’s a great sign of seriousness, but also of availability.” Concept reiterated by the owner of Farnesina and secretary of FI, Antonio Tajani: «We are different parties but when it is necessary to make a decision for the citizens we find ourselves in perfect harmony». The approximately 24 billion recorded in the budget law, Meloni then recalls, “are the result of almost 16 billion in extra revenue and the remainder from spending cuts”. Of course, he admits, “the picture is quite complex” because “in 2024 we will have around 13 billion euros of interest added on the debt, to be paid due to decisions taken by the ECB, and around 20 billion euros in Superbonuses “. The calculations, therefore, are made quickly: «The increase in rates and the Superbonus do more globally than the maneuver». The first priority that Meloni mentions when illustrating the budget is that which refers to the defense of the purchasing power of families with low-medium incomes: “We do so by confirming the cut in the contribution wedge for the entire year 2024 for those with incomes of up to 35 thousand euros. This is a salary increase that corresponds on average to around 100 euros per month for an audience of 14 million citizens. It is the most substantial measure because it amounts to around 10 billion for the entire year.” Reinforcing this, she highlights, is the reduction of Irpef keys from four to three. A measure that, however, “only those with low-medium income will see on their paycheck”, because for those who fall under the fourth rate “we sterilize the benefit with exemption from tax deductions”.

Among the main measures, adds Meloni, are the 7 billion allocated to the renewal of contracts in PA (of which more than 2 are for health), with “priority” for the security sector. For the health sector, «there are 3 billion more than expected and are intended to reduce waiting lists». Furthermore, “the reevaluation of pensions in light of inflation” is planned and “the super reevaluation of minimum pensions for those over 75 years of age is confirmed”. However, the restriction that obliges those in the contributory system to retire at the age they have reached has been eliminated only if the value of their pension is less than 1.5 times the social pension. Additionally, Ape Sociale and Opzione Donna are replaced by a single Fund for exit flexibility. At the family level, Meloni announces the suspension of the VAT reduction on early childhood products, but “we added three measures worth one billion euros”. The first concerns parental leave with an additional month “usable up to the child’s 6th birthday paid at 60%”. The second aims to increase funding for daycare: “Our goal is to say that daycare is free for the second child.” Finally, “we hope that mothers with two or more children will not pay worker contributions. Obviously with limits: the limit is, for mothers with two children, until the second child turns 10; with mothers with three or more children, until the youngest child turns 18.” The concept, he concludes, “is that a woman who gives birth to at least two children has already made an important contribution to society and, therefore, the The State tries to compensate by paying social security contributions.”