"I trust my allies." That's how it started end of year press conference of the President of the Council Giorgia Meloni organized by the National Council of the Order of Journalists in collaboration with the Parliamentary Press Association at the New Chamber of Parliamentary Groups of the Chamber of Deputies. Covid, Maneuver, Pnrr, Energy, basic income, tax authorities, migrants, but also Iran, defence, human rights were the topics discussed during an all-encompassing speech, which lasted three hours, during which the Premier took stock of what the center-right government has done in the last two months and what its intentions are for the near future.
Meloni: "Maneuver approved in advance, I trust my allies"
A few minutes from the confidence in the 2023 budget law voted by the Senate, the Prime Minister said: "The maneuver has been approved one day in advance compared to those of the last two years: beyond the legitimate debate and differences, there was the will to work well and keep deadlines and commitments, we succeeded”.
Responding to journalists' questions about frictions internal to the majority seen during the approval process of the provision, Meloni reiterated: “I trust my allies in government. Beyond the natural debates within a majority, and the different nuances in the programs of individual parties, there is a common vision. There is normal debate. Then the facts count ”, she minimized her. "I find an absolutely positive climate in the majority, I can't complain – she added -, and I'm not saying it out of necessity".
However, the prime minister admitted that the green light for the budget law "was not easy". "Was a political maneuver. While investing most of the resources on expensive bills, we managed to start keeping the commitments made.
Meloni on Covid: "We need EU intervention on tampons"
“For what happened in China and we immediately moved in line with what we have asked for in the past: we have arranged the swab for all those who come from China, but it is effective if it is taken by the whole EU”. The reference is toorder issued yesterday by the Ministry of Health which establishes the obligation of a rapid swab for those arriving in Italy from China.
“We wrote to Brussels – said the Premier – We expect the EU to want to work in this direction. We need to understand if what is coming is a virus covered by vaccines or not. Of the first sequenced cases of Covid in people from China, 15 are of the Omicron variant, already present in Italy, and this should be quite reassuring. The Chinese case proves it: I work on responsibility and not on coercion: the situation is fairly under control".
“I think checks, swabs, masks are useful. My idea is that we should work on empowering citizens rather than coercion. I intend to do so in the future as well. The situation in Italy is quite under control, we are monitoring minute by minute”, added Meloni, also announcing “I am thinking of an observatory on Covid”.
Speaking of the vaccines “there is a government campaign which calls for vaccination, especially the elderly and frail, those most at risk. They are the ones on whom I can make the most decisive invitation. For the others, the invitation is to go to the doctor, to those who know more than me. We are inviting you to proceed in this direction”. Meloni said.
Meloni on the Pnrr: "Having achieved the 55 goals, we will ask for the 19 billion tranche"
"I am happy that the Italian government has managed to achieve all the 55 objectives envisaged to now send the letter" to the EU "and request the tranche of 19 billion euros. When we arrived, 55 of the 25 goals had been achieved. We worked to finish the other 30. This relay race worked, I'm glad we managed it," said the Premier, explaining that the success of the goals is also linked to the "choice policy to concentrate the powers of the Pnrr under the leadership of a single ministry, and to place the European Cohesion Funds under the same competence, to avoid overlaps”.
"Hour turn goals into construction sites”Meloni continued. “We have over 120 billion in public works investments. We are having discussions with the European Union” on the cost of raw materials, “and then there is the issue of simplification” to ensure that “these resources can be spent”. “It's not an easy job, it's complex – he explained – It's the question we're dedicating the most time to. We need to set strategic priorities. We must use the funds of the Pnrr to give ourselves strategies ”.
Meloni sul Mes: "Never as long as I count for something in Italy"
“I think on the Month the ratification is secondary: the issue is that, given that Italy will never access the Mes as long as I count for something - the Premier affirmed with certainty. I'm afraid others won't log in either. After Greece it was not activated by anyone. Whether the reform goes through or not, I believe that fund will not be used. Its conditions are too stringent, it's a privileged creditor, it causes significant problems with the usability of your government bonds, your interest rates go up. Are we in a position to lock up tens of billions when money is needed? No. But I would like to understand if there are margins that rather than ratifying a reform, work on something different, with different conditions and perhaps with more focused objectives. I will dedicate my work to this in the next few hours".
Answering a question about European Central Bank, Meloni said: “the ECB has its autonomy which we respect, just as the ECB must respect that of politics. As I see it, in the current situation it would be better to avoid pejorative choices and it would be useful to manage communication on the choices that are made well, otherwise there is a risk of generating, if not panic, fluctuations that frustrate the work of governments".
Speaking then of the stability pact, the Prime Minister explained that “from the first interlocutions in the EU, we all agree on the fact that we cannot go back to the previous rules. I think the new stability pact needs to be more focused on growth. My proposition is separate current spending from investments".
"Banks do not repeat the mistakes of the past"
“We need to favor a banking system that does not repeat the mistakes of the past. We are working on the file Monte dei Paschi di Siena, another big legacy issue. A very difficult situation, managed quite badly up to now, tens of billions spent on taxpayers”, stated the Premier, adding that “Today a capital increase was made, there is a restructuring that seems quite solid to us. We are working for an orderly exit of the state and to create the conditions for which there are more Italian banking centers in Italy”.
Meloni: "Presidentialism is my priority"
"I confirm that presidentialism is my priority, I aim to do so within this legislature. It can only be good for Italy, it allows stability and governments that are the result of clear popular indications. I have always started from the French system not because it is my favorite but because it seems to me the most shared, I am thinking of a shared reform ”, Meloni said. "On the instrument, good Bicameral if usefulotherwise it is dilatory. By January talks between Casellati and the opposition: then we will decide. I'm not excluding government initiatives, but if it's more engaging, no problem starting with parliament. I wish it was my legacy", he added.
Energy: "If the situation improves, resources on other measures"
“We will continue to work on the basis of what is happening, but we are in a situation of great emergency: energy measures cost an average of 5 billion euros a month. The gas ceiling can change the picture, and if it were to be confirmed as changed, a part of the resources could be freed up for other measures”, said the Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, in the press conference at the end of the year.
“We are working to solve the problem of the bottleneck of our gas pipelines in central Italy, which is currently too small. When it is resolved, Italy will have the opportunity to enhance several cities in Southern Italy, also on the issue of gas supply and gas pipelines. They would be more than happy to have development addressing an issue that is strategic for Italy and Europe”, said the Prime Minister.
Ukraine and Russia
“The choices of the Russian government must not fall on its people and its citizens, I want to distinguish the two things but those choices exist, they are violation of international law that if they were accepted they would bring down the construction of international legality. I fear that the principle of who with the use of force can invade the neighbor is not convenient for everyone. For us it is unacceptable: we may miss Russian tourism, tourists in Russia, but there are things that cannot bend to our wishes. I hope that Russia stop this unacceptable war of aggression: until it happens we will not stop”, Meloni explained, stating that support for Ukraine remains fundamental.
“Italy is ready to guarantee a possible peace agreement, e I plan to travel to Kiev before the end of February, i.e. before the anniversary of the February 24 invasion”. Regarding a possible international peace conference, Meloni then said he was "obviously in favor of everything we can do to promote peace. However, we need to know that the issue of peace cannot be achieved only by claiming it, we need to work on it concretely and get signals from the parties in the field, and today there are no great signals, especially from Russia".
Citizenship income and work
The work is created by companies, the state cannot eradicate poverty by decree“. said the Prime Minister in response to a question on basic income. Meloni referred to the measure of decontribution total for those hired on permanent contracts. “We are working to put companies in a position to hire. We need more employment ”, she said,“ we must however consider that the labor market has changed. This is the challenge to face, it is a cultural fact, to get involved to have one's own satisfactions ”, she added.
Speaking of the stakes imposed by the Budget law al CBI, Meloni said: "If the theme of congruity (of the job offer, ed.) is 'I don't want to accept an underpaid job, I agree, but if the theme of congruity is I don't consider the job waiting for the my studies then no. We would all like to find the job of our dreams but it doesn't happen to everyone", Meloni clarified, "one cannot think of staying at home" and "getting supported by those who pay taxes".
The Premier then referred to the matter voucher, stating that: “We have to pay attention to a profoundly changed labor market, there is no longer just permanent contracts. It is a time in which there are workers who have different needs, I am thinking of vouchers, a story that concerns some types of workers. I believe that it is better to regulate them, diversifying the types of contracts and carrying out checks, than to risk that work being done illegally".
Taxman: "No amnesty, ahead with the reform"
In Maneuver “I amnesties there are none: we have made a rule that asks everyone to pay what is due, with a surcharge, allowing for payment in installments. The only folders removed are those more than 7 years old and less than 1000 euros simply because their destruction is more convenient for the State. We want to imagine a new type of dialogue with taxpayers but without absolutely favoring tax evasion”, said Meloni.
“I confirm that on the tax reform we want to move forward according to guidelines already visible in the financial maneuver with the items in the budget" he continued, specifying that among "the guidelines on which the reform must move there is the cut in the cost of labor and on this much more must be done" . “We gave a signal with the cut in the tax wedge, but I would like to continue on this. Our legislature goal is 5 cut points and we'll see if we can do this, something more or less ". The second objective, he continued, is “taxation that takes into account the composition of the family nucleus. Let's consider the topic of parenting support a priority and taxation must also take this into account". For Meloni, the question also has significance "on the stability of welfare". Finally, the third objective is to promote a "taxation that provides more incentive for those who get involved and create wealth: the theme - he concluded - is the more you hire and the less you pay".
Refers to birth rate the Prime Minister specified: “The demographic issue is an absolute priority for us and is therefore an economic priority for us. We consider the issue of parenting support a priority and therefore taxation must also take this into account".
Also a reference to land registry: "A mapping can be done on the reform to improve knowledge of Italian construction but this government will never start an increase in taxation on the house, in particular on the first house which I consider a sacred asset, which cannot be foreclosed".
With the flat tax “there is no discrimination”. said Giorgia Meloni. "The self-employed worker does not have any of the right protections that we would like for the self-employed as well as employees".
A brief reference also to the disputed one soccer rule: “The previous government suspended payments owed by sports clubs, not just football clubs. We inherit this situation. We therefore decide to apply the same rules that we apply to other taxpayers, i.e. payment in installments and a 3% increase on the amount due. I don't understand why there is a cry of scandal. If the companies weren't to be helped, payments shouldn't have been suspended either. Among other things, those who access this possibility must in any case pay the first 3 installments immediately and apply the increases. We don't give anything away."
Justice: "The abuse of interceptions must be limited"
"The interception they are an extraordinary tool available to the judiciary, but their abuse must be limited", said Giorgia Meloni speaking of "that short circuit in the relationship between wiretapping and the media, with wiretapping without criminal relevance that ended up in the newspapers, only for political interest, rather than… I don't think it's right in a rule of law. There have been abuses and they must be corrected”.
" justice reform it is a priority – he reiterated – We are not lacking in courage. I believe that this government, bringing together the souls of the majority, has a balanced view on the matter. We have chosen an excellent Minister of Justice who is determined to move forward ”.
Still speaking of justice, the question of the separation of careers. “In the coming months we will work to finalize the justice reform – explains Meloni -, also with the issue of the separation of careers. The matter of justice needs a coupon”. Chapter prescription: “Parliament has presented an odg to ask for the return to the prescription as it was before the Bonafede reform and the Government has given a favorable opinion. We understand this indication, it is an indication of common sense. The prescription is a foundation of the rule of law, we risk having suspects or defendants for life. I think there is a transversal consensus on this, it is one of the elements that are close to our hearts".
Meloni: "I feel the weight of Draghi"
“I feel the weight of my predecessor, and I am pleased – Meloni said in response to journalists – Measuring myself against capable and authoritative people has been the challenge of my whole life. I never liked winning easy. Mario Draghi is a person of great authority on an international level and I find the comparison fascinating. This must push me and the whole government to do well ”.
Meloni: "Msi important in democratic Italy"
“On the posts related to the MSI, it is a debate that has struck me a lot. The Movimento Sociale Italiano played an important role towards democracy for millions of Italians defeated” by the war, “it was a right-wing, democratic party present in parliamentary dynamics. It was a party that played a very important role in fighting political violence and terrorism", said Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaking of the posts in memory of the MSI, adding that "MSI has played a very important role in the history of this nation. Why must it become unpresentable now? I don't like this game of raising, where you have to do more and more. Msi has always been clear about the fight against anti-Semitism ”, she concluded, announcing that she will participate in the celebrations for April 25th.
The other themes
“I was struck by the story of this chess champion who decides to participate in the World Chess Championship by taking off her veil in front of the world. She made me think. We are used to symbolic gestures but, usually, ours do not have potentially as serious consequences as those that this could have", said the president of the council, Giorgia Meloni, speaking of the chess champion of theIran Sara Khadim al-Sharia, who took part in the 2022 World Championship in Kazakhstan without wearing a headscarf. What is happening in Iran "is unacceptable to us and we do not intend to tolerate it any longer, we have always had a dialogue approach but, if these repressions" in Iran "do not cease and there is no turning back, Italy's attitude will have to change , with which measure it will have to be the subject of an interlocution at an international level”, he added.
On the scandal of Qatargate, “One thing made me very nervous: many international colleagues define these facts with the term 'Italian job', as if it were a stain on our nation. The story does not concern only Italians, also Belgians, Greeks and exponents of other nations. If anything, it is a party theme, a social job. If it had concerned conservatives it would have been a conservative job. It concerns a political family but not Italy. The pride and honor of the nation I represent must be defended from attack. Responsibilities are transversal not between parties but between nations”. Thus the premier Giorgia Meloni.
On the contribution to military spending "Italy has done its part and it has done it across the board" and "I want to thank Conte's contribution which increased spending by 3 billion". 2% of GDP invested in defense is a commitment made with NATO that everyone tries to respect as much as possible. The theme is that the freedom of nations has a cost, if you outsource your security to someone you need to know that someone won't do it for free. Italy is doing and will do its part, it will do it to be credible,” he added.
Chapter migrants: “I haven't talked about the naval blockade as many of you journalists have told it. I don't mean a naval blockade against the will of North African countries and then 'let's start war'. The naval blockade as I understand it is a European mission,” Meloni said. "Yesterday we approved a law concerning the respect of international law by non-governmental organizations", he continued, explaining that: "I am faithful to the teaching of Pope John II and I say that in Africa we must have a different approach from that seen in this years. The energy issue offers Europe an opportunity to return to being present in Africa” and “offers Italy the opportunity to be the leading nation in this new European approach to Africa. African countries are interested in new energy supply technologies. I believe that with few resources spent well, we can reason to produce the energy we need by diversifying the sources of supply and making Italy the gateway to this energy”. Meloni relaunched the "Mattei plan for Africa". “The approach Mattei described was not predatory. We go – he clarified citing the work of ENI – not to take something away but to leave something. This is why there is great demand for Italy” in Africa.
Chapter Expo: I think that” Expo2030 in Rome “It's a great opportunity, I think Italy and Rome have the antibodies to do what they want. I took over when the story of Expo 2030 was already ahead, I intend to spend myself personally. I can't guarantee how this will turn out. I came in a little late. We're giving it our all, we're working on it gracefully but I wouldn't give up."
A joke about the Pd congress: “I'm happy that there are women who run at the head of the Democratic Party perhaps also because I have shown that it can be done,” Meloni said.
