"20 billion more in 2012 and another 25 in 2013" will enter the state coffers. This was announced by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi at the end of this morning's summit with local authorities, anticipating some of the contents of the anti-crisis decree which will be approved tonight by the Council of Ministers.
Il Cavaliere also revealed that the Government "will attack the costs of politics through 14-15 measures, with cuts to ministries for six billion in 2012 and for 2,5 billion in 2013". The cut the transfers for local authorities instead they will be “6 billion in 2012 and another 3 in 2013 – explained Giulio Tremonti – but the health sector will not be included in these figures”. The superminister then underlined that the goal is to reduce the deficit “from 3,9 to 1,6% in 2012, to then break even the following year. These objectives are to be achieved through spending reductions and not through tax increases, which would not be considered valid by Brussels”. For this reason, among the various measures, the Executive is also evaluating the hypothesis of "anticipating fiscal federalism", in addition to the interventions already envisaged on the subject of "liberalisation of local public services" and "incentives for privatisation".
As for the assets, escaped danger. Berlusconi has confirmed that instead of him in the maneuver there will be a "solidarity tax". It should be a supertax on middle-high incomes, one maxi surtax on Irpef in two brackets: 5% rate for those who earn between 90 and 150 thousand euros gross per year, 10% for those with even higher incomes. The levy will concern employees and self-employed workers. Only public managers are excluded, who are already having their paychecks cut above 90 thousand euros. But in all likelihood even the big tax evaders will be able to get out of the web, especially those who can afford to put their accounts in the name of companies based abroad. The risk is, as always, that the greatest assets will once again be able to save themselves, but in the face of the burning house and the pressing requests of the EU, putting your hands in the pockets of Italians is almost inevitable.
This "solidarity contribution", which will not be temporary but structural, is accompanied by the 20% harmonization of the rates on financial income. With the exception of government bonds (which remain at 12,5%), taxation on shares, bonds and funds will increase by 7,5%, while that on bank and postal deposits will be reduced by 7%. In all likelihood these will be the main rule of the new Italian plan to bring forward the balanced budget to 2013.
While the fog on the interventions contained in the decree clears, expectations are growing for the unusual Council of Ministers in August that will have to approve it. The convocation is for this evening at 19 pm, naturally with the markets closed. But already this morning the day is full of commitments. After yesterday receiving the prime minister, the economy minister and representatives of the two main opposition parties, this morning the head of state has an appointment with the president of the chamber, Gianfranco Fini. At 20 in the Sala Verde of Palazzo Chigi Giulio Tremonti meets the representatives of the local authorities: Regions, Provinces and ANCI. In the early afternoon, however, the appointment is with the economic ministers.
As for the other measures contained in the decree, the most controversial ones remain those on pensions. In addition to the foreseeable outcry of the unions (the CGIL threatens a general strike), Berlusconi and Tremonti have to deal above all with the opposition of the League. Here are the points discussed in these hours:
PENSIONS, FROM AGE FOR WOMEN TO SURVIVOR ALLOWANCE
– Raising the retirement age for women in the private sector from 60 to 65 from 2015 instead of 2020 (deadline envisaged in the budget). It is a soft increase that will only be completed in 2027. This is the only issue on which the majority has so far agreed.
– Progressive abolition of old-age pensions, excluding only those with 40 years of contributions. Today you can retire from work at the age of 96 (61 years plus 35 contributions), a figure that will rise by one point each year up to 100 in 2015 (65 years plus 35 contributions). The revenue would be 3,5 billion. Formally, the law remains on the table, but the chances of seeing it approved are minimal.
– Anticipation from 2013 to 2012 of the adjustment to life expectancy of the retirement age, which will rise by three months.
– General revision of the criteria for awarding survivors' and invalidity pensions. An income ceiling should be established to be able to cash these checks.
WORK, THE “RIGHT TO LICENSE” AND CONTRACTS
Yesterday Minister Tremonti revealed that "Europe is asking us for the dismissal or disposal of personnel compensated with insurance mechanisms and better or happier placement on the labor market", but "it is not certain that all this is part of the shared government activity.
As for contracts, the decree could include a rule that extends the effects of the recent agreement between Confindustria to trade unions in a generalized way, legitimizing the agreements between Fiat and the unions (excluding FIOM) and the related referendums for Pomigliano and Mirafiori.
ADDITIONAL HEALTHCARE TICKET
It is possible to introduce a new ticket on the first three days of hospitalization.
PROVINCE CUTS
Much of the thorny game on policy cuts will probably be played on this terrain. A halt is envisaged for all the provinces established but not operational and the abolition of those with fewer than 300 inhabitants.
LIBERALIZATION AND PRIVATIZATION
Tremonti spoke of full liberalization of local public services and professional services and large-scale privatization of local services, but it is not excluded that Bancoposta could be put on the market spun off from Poste Italiane.
HUNT FOR THE EVADER: TIGHTEN ON TRACEABILITY AND SANCTIONS
The decree could relaunch the traceability of payments to combat tax evasion, increasingly limiting the use of cash. Anyone who fails to issue invoices or receipts could also be punished with more severe penalties.
LAY CELEBRATIONS COMBINED WITH SUNDAYS
May XNUMXst, June XNUMXnd, April XNUMXth: non-religious holidays could be merged into Sundays. More productivity, less overtime to pay.
CUTS TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES
Cuts are foreseen in transfers to local authorities for 6 billion euros in 2012 and 3,5 billion in 2013. For the Regions, the overall cut will be one billion. The healthcare sector will remain excluded from these figures.
