“Tax reduction without debt will be a continuous and all-round commitment: in particular taxes on labour, stable and young people, then the tax policy on housing. We need to change the taxation on first homes, starting with the stop on payments in June ". Furthermore, "we intend to renounce the tightening of VAT". This was stated by the new Prime Minister, Enrico Letta, in his programmatic speech given this afternoon in the House at Montecitorio. Confidence in the new government will be voted tonight in the Chamber and tomorrow in the Senate. Numbers shouldn't be a problem: on paper, the majority (made up of Pd, Pdl and Civic Choice) should get 445 votes in the Chamber, out of a total of 630.
YOUTH POLICIES
“We have to start from young people – continued Letta -. Low youth education and employment rates are a dramatic situation. Let us ask ourselves how many children are not born every year in Italy due to the precariousness that limits the choices of young families. It's not just demographics, it's a moral wound. Only young people can rebuild this country. Not investing in them is economic suicide. We will simplify and strengthen apprenticeships. We will change Article 92 and help companies hire young people on permanent contracts with tax incentives. We must reduce the percentage of the deficit with Europe in terms of early school leaving and graduates”.
RELAUNCH OF THE INDUSTRY
“We intend to launch a large multi-year plan for development and research financed through project bonds. It is a question of making a modern industrial policy that values above all the SMEs, which are and remain the real engine of our country. Furthermore, the promotion of sustainable energy needs to be improved. Bureaucracy must not oppress the creative desire of Italians, and this is why it will be necessary to review the entire system of procedures, which must be streamlined”.
JOB PRIORITY
“The first priority of my government will be the question of work: only by relaunching it can we take the path of growth. The refinancing of the Cig by way of derogation and the overcoming of the precariousness in the PA alone would be insufficient. The solution to the problem of exodus is a priority commitment of this government. Businesses and workers must act together and overcome the conflicts that have held us back in the past: the trade unions will be the protagonists. Our goals are to expand tax incentives to those who invest in innovation, give more credit to those who deserve it, guarantee payments to businesses, simplify and streamline bureaucratic obligations".
As for female employment, “much more needs to be done: we are far from the European objectives, we are not yet a country of equal opportunities. The lack of services unloads a number of unsustainable tasks on women. The reform of our welfare requires far-reaching actions: the traditional model based on the adult male is no longer enough. Welfare must be more universal and less corporative, more open to women. Social safety nets should be extended to those without them, starting with precarious workers. It will then be possible to study forms of minimum income especially for needy families with children and mixed part-time and retirement proposals for the elderly who are difficult to relocate, with a gradual retirement path".
CUT IN THE SALARIES OF MINISTERS-PARLIAMENTARIES AND IN ELECTION REIMBURSEMENTS
“We need an exercise in self-criticism: politics has made too many mistakes, all of our credibility has been eroded. We have not understood the legitimate instances underlying the movement of the network. The government's first act will be to eliminate the salary of parliamentary ministers, which has always existed in addition to their allowance. No one can feel exempt from the duty of authority. With 11 million citizens who decided not to vote, the abstention party came out on top: either we understand it, or politics disappears. Think of electoral reimbursements: all the laws since 1994 have been hypocritical. It is not a question of reimbursements, but of disguised financing. Moreover, excessive amounts. We will abolish them and introduce control rules also on regional groups".
“We will then introduce principles of democracy within the parties by implementing article 49 of the Constitution. We must give our contribution to rebuilding a pact of trust: as Italians, we all win or lose together. Surely the convergence of political forces that presented themselves in opposition to the polls is and must be an exception. But the situation that came out of the polls and the crisis situation in the country is exceptional. I believe that the political forces are showing great responsibility. We also need continuous dialogue with the forces that do not support the government. The call for convergence is even more pressing in our task of reforming the institutions”.
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS
“It would be good for Parliament to adopt its decisions on the basis of the proposals formulated by the Convention, which in turn should start from the conclusions of the commission of wise men. The only possible outlet is success: in 18 months I will check whether the project will be heading towards a safe haven: if cross vetoes threaten to bog everything down for the umpteenth time, I will have no hesitation in immediately drawing the consequences. The overall objective is that of a reform that brings citizens closer to the institutions”.
As for the individual constitutional reforms, “we must overcome equal bicameralism, entrusting a single chamber with the task of conferring or revoking confidence in the government. We must establish the Senate of the regions or autonomies, with differentiated competences. Provinces must be abolished definitively. This does not mean pursuing a policy of undifferentiated cuts. We also need to quickly close the game of fiscal federalism. We can also explore the suggestions of the essays for the possible review of relations with the Regions”.
As far as the Porcellum issue is concerned, “here we must solemnly undertake the commitment that the February one was the last consultation to take place under the current electoral law. Changing it serves not only to guarantee majorities that support stable governments, but also to restore legitimacy to parliamentarians. Citizens must be able to identify the most deserving candidates on election day. On a personal level, I believe it would be better at least to restore the previous electoral law".
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ITALY AND EUROPE
“ITA's economic situation is still serious: we have accumulated a public debt which weighs on our present and future prospects. The great effort of the previous government was the premise for future growth, as the discipline of public finances was and remains fundamental for defusing possible financial attacks. It is also essential to exit the excessive deficit procedure”.
“In international fora, Italy will be committed to restarting growth without compromising the stability of the accounts. Europe can go back to being an engine of sustainable growth only if it opens up. If I win your trust, starting tomorrow I will visit Brussels, Berlin and Paris in a single trip to immediately show that ours is a European and pro-European government. The answer is greater integration towards a federal Europe. The risk of a banking union without a political and economic union is unsustainable”.
“Italy dies of recovery alone: after more than a decade without growth, recovery policies can no longer wait. Too many citizens are in the throes of despair and discouragement, as demonstrated by the disconcerting event that took place yesterday in front of Palazzo Chigi. Without growth and without cohesion, Italy is lost. The Executive undertakes to be serious and credible on the consolidation and maintenance of public finances. Enough with the debts on the shoulders of future generations”.
