Long day today in Arcore, but the results are there this time. After a meeting that lasted over seven hours, the government reached an agreement on the changes to be made to the text of the maneuver bis approved by decree on 12 August last. The solidarity contribution disappears for ordinary citizens and remains in force for parliamentarians (in its place new anti-evasion measures and cuts in benefits for cooperatives), while cuts to local authorities are reduced of two billion. Provinces will be abolished through a constitutional law which will also provide for the halving of the number of parliamentarians. As for pensions, the modification is Tremontian: the seniority allowances will be attributed on the basis of "actual years of work", without taking into account the years spent at university or in military service, which however will continue to weigh on the final amount of treatment. Lastly, no intervention on VAT.
These are the key points of the agreement reached at the end of the river summit which took place today in the private residence of the Prime Minister between 11 in the morning and 18 this evening. In addition to Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Lega leader Umberto Bossi, the meeting was also attended by Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti, Interior Minister Roberto Maroni and the new PDL secretary Angelino Alfano. The deadline for the presentation of the amendments has expired today at 30. A journey of forced stages begins tomorrow morning in the Budget and Constitutional Affairs commissions of the Senate. Here are the key points on the table.
Government statement
