Parliament approved it budget variance preliminary to the vote on Economics and Finance document (Def), the first economic provision entirely written by the Meloni government. In the Chamber there were 221 votes in favor, 115 against. In the Senate there were 112 yes, 57 no and no abstentions.
There were moments of tension, especially in Montecitorio: for the green Angelo Bonelli, who had an illness, and tussle in the Chamber where the session was suspended. While the deputies of the Democratic Party left the Chamber after an attack by Tommaso Foti (Fdi) on Debora Seracchiani, Nico Stumpo of the Democratic Party threw himself towards the benches of the Fdi. Pushes have flown. Some tension also in Palazzo Madama, especially after the intervention of the senator Michaela Biancifiore (FdI) who admitted that "yesterday the majority did not make a good impression in the Chamber, but neither did the opposition, which is now preparing to set fire to the dust by throwing mud at Parliament". Cries of protest were raised from the benches of the opposition.
Green light, therefore, to the executive's report on the budget variance from 3,4 billion in 2023 approved yesterday, Thursday 27 April, by the Council of Ministers after the majority's proposal in Montecitorio had been surprise rejection. The resolution calling for the deviation, i.e. greater recourse to debt to finance some measures, had not passed due to some absences, especially within Forza Italia and the League. Now the ball passes to Senate, which was summoned from 14 pm today, Friday 28 April.
Voting room budget variance, Meloni: "A bad slip"
She made "a bad impression, I think everyone should be held accountable", commented the premier Giorgia Meloni while she was engaged in bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in London. Following what happened, a flash meeting of the Council of Ministers was held: the executive did not modify the Def but only approved a new report.
All parties of the majority they denied that the failure of Thursday's vote was due to political problems, and explained that it was instead a matter of a logistical accident: the majority had not correctly calculated the absences of their MPs. However, several MPs and members of the government apologized for the delay in approving the budget slip.
Le opposition they attacked, with the 5Stelle asking that "Meloni go to the Quirinale immediately", and the Democratic Party underlining that "the total inadequacy of this government is demonstrated, but Italy pays for it".
Race against time: CDM on May 1st
But why is the budget slip necessary? Resources are needed to finance the work decree on the agenda of the Council of Ministers on Monday 1 May (Labor Day). This is the 3,4 billion for 2023 to cover the famous tax wedge cut. But it's a race against time. The text has returned to the Senate and the goal is to complete the exam by Saturday at the latest. The meeting between the government and the trade unions is expected at Palazzo Chigi on Sunday, during which the executive will illustrate the solutions envisaged by the new measure. Then, on Monday, the decree will land on the table of the CDM to be approved.
