Being so generous towards the political caste is a luxury that Italy can no longer afford. The numbers show that ours is a country in recession and with the third highest public debt in the world. Monti, in maneuver in which the Government has now placed its trust, has abdicated the difficult task of cutting the costs of politics. Why does rethinking the remuneration of parliamentarians remain an impossible undertaking?
Parliamentary allowance – The 630 Italian deputies are paid a parliamentary allowance of 11.703,64 euros gross, which becomes 5.486,58 euros net if tax and social security deductions are considered. For the French, the indemnity amounts to 7.100,15 euros gross, of which 5.514,68 net. Also for the 622 German deputies of the Bundestag the indemnity is 7.668 euros gross (the net varies according to income taxes). British deputies are the ones who take the least: 6.350 euros gross. The net amount of the MEPs' allowance is instead 6.200,72 euros.
Per diem of stay – In Italy and Germany, parliamentarians obtain a lump-sum contribution for the reimbursement of accommodation costs in the city where Parliament is located (4.003,11 euro non-taxable for living in Rome and 3.984 euro in Berlin). The National Assembly, more spartanly, provides "double offices" in which parliamentarians can sleep and grants a loan of up to 76 thousand euros at an interest rate of 2% for the purchase of an office or a house in Paris . The House of Commons, more elegantly, covers accommodation costs on a case-by-case basis and only to those not from the London area. In Strasbourg, every member of parliament receives 304 euros a day when the activity takes place on Community territory.
Travel reimbursement – The situation regarding travel reimbursement is almost the same across Europe. In Italy, MPs can make free use of the motorway, railway, sea and air networks throughout the country (and even after finishing their mandate they are entitled to generous discounts), as well as having a refund of 1331 euros for airport transfers. In France the train is free but the National Assembly only makes available 40 flights (return) per year in France and 6 abroad. Germany and England are more liberal: free travel but with a justification of merit and in economy class.
Life annuity – Italy beats everyone in this field: 2.486 euros a month from 65 years old with one mandate, 4.973 euros from 60 years old with two and 7.460 euros with three. In France, the annuity is 1.200 euros with one mandate and 2.400 with two. In Germany they offer 961 euros gross for a mandate and in England the range varies between 530 euros (for a mandate) up to a maximum of 794 euros. More generous, but not as much as in Italy, in the European Parliament where the annuity reaches 63 years for a value of 1.392 euros for one mandate, 2.784 for two and 5.569 euros over 20 years.
The difference with the rest of Europe is not that large. But first of all, we must remember that Italy is not Germany, neither in terms of wealth nor in terms of economic growth prospects. That the annuities and privileges that can be accumulated even beyond the term of office are exaggerated and perhaps offer the wrong incentives for devotion to public affairs. Finally, that requiring a justification for the reimbursement of air travel or accommodation would not require a great deal of effort. Sometimes perhaps, a little healthy distrust can help fill pockets that are too empty.
Attachments: Dossier_Chamber_Treatment_deputies_March_2011.pdf
