MARKET NIGHTMARE: THE GOVERNMENT IS TALKING AGAIN ABOUT VAT AND PENSIONS
Il stock market crash and the soaring spread force the Government to work overtime. Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti attempted a final assault on the League during yet another summit in via Bellerio. But the meeting, which lasted a couple of hours, resulted in nothing: Bossi did not want to hear about new interventions on social security, whether it was the retirement age for women or the requirements for granting checks of seniority.
In the afternoon, the owner of Via XX Settembre returned to Rome, where a meeting with Treasury technicians and an extraordinary summit with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi awaited him. It seems that the increase in the ordinary VAT rate from 20 to 21% was once again on the table, a path that the Knight would like to take as an emergency exit from the crisis. On this front, however, it is Tremonti who puts up a strenuous resistance: the superminister would like to keep the intervention as the trump card to play when the time comes for the fiscal delegation.
Meanwhile, the situation is becoming increasingly tense, even outside the majority: the evening roll call by the Head of State, Giorgio Napolitano, pushes the Executive to tighten the deadlines. On the other hand, tomorrow we will also have to manage the chaos caused by the general strike of the CGIL.
THE APPEAL OF NAPOLITANO
“No one can underestimate the alarming signal – reads a note from the Quirinale released after 21 pm – represented by today's soaring differential between the prices of Italian and German public debt securities. It is a sign of persistent difficulty in recovering trust as it is essential and urgent. There is still time to introduce in the Senate measures capable of strengthening its effectiveness and credibility in the law converting the decree of 13 August. I appeal to all political parties so that efforts aimed at this end are not blocked by misunderstandings and unsustainable prejudices".
MAJORITY SPEEDS UP, VOTE IN THE SENATE ON WEDNESDAY
The final vote of Palazzo Madama on the August 12 decree could arrive as early as Wednesday. At that point, all that would be needed would be the go-ahead from the Chamber to convert the provision into law. The Democratic Party has said it is available to vote in a short time, as long as the majority avoids trust. The president of the Senate Renato Schifani limited himself to announcing the convocation for tomorrow at 16 of an extraordinary conference of the group leaders for a remodulation of the work of the Chamber. The examination of the text will begin at 30 pm. The night session is likely.
Now let's see what are the main amendments to the bis maneuver presented by the majority and approved on Sunday by the Senate Budget Committee:
WORK: DEROGATIONS FROM NATIONAL CONTRACTS
The latest amendment approved by the Senate Budget Committee provides for the possibility of derogating from "law provisions" or "national collective agreements" (including the Workers' Statute) on the basis of employment contracts signed at company or local level by unions that they hold the majority.
The issues for which the derogation is envisaged include not only dismissals, but also "the worker's duties, fixed-term contracts, working hours, methods of hiring and the consequences of termination of the employment relationship". However, the Government specifies that the new measure does not intend to amend the Constitution or violate EU regulations or international labor conventions. This means that the dismissal of those who take leave for reasons such as maternity, marriage, adoption or fostering will continue to be prohibited.
INCOME ON THE INTERNET, PARTIAL REVERSE
The latest version of the maneuver provides for a softening of the most controversial provision among those of the anti-evasion package. The tax returns will be published on the websites of the Municipalities, but without the names and surnames of the taxpayers. The data will be aggregated by categories. The obligation to indicate the specifics of one's current accounts in the declarations has also been abolished. Finally, a small change on the rule that provides for prison for those who evade more than three million euros: it will not be retroactive.
AMENDMENT 2002, THE TAX REMEMBER TO COLLECT
One of the least unpopular ways to raise cash is to recover what is owed by tax evaders. In particular by those who adhered to the 2002 amnesty, but paid only the first installment to avoid the initiation of criminal proceedings, then deserting subsequent appointments with the tax authorities. These scoundrels are given yet another chance: they will have to pay by the end of 2011. If they diabolically persevere in their sins, then "a 50% penalty" on the amount due will be triggered. The Revenue Agency and Guardia di Finanza will also be able to check their position in relation to all tax periods following the amnesty.
2% STAMP DUTY ON OVERSEAS MONEY TRANSFERS
Anyone intending to export sums of money through money transfer agencies or other financial intermediaries will have to pay a minimum of three euros. An obligation that does not apply to natural persons with a tax code and INPS registration number. The rule was desired by the League above all because, by also affecting immigrants, it will make it easier to identify illegal immigrants.
SPENDING REVIEW, PD AMENDMENT APPROVED
Tremonti supported an amendment by the Democratic Party, approved yesterday by the commission, which provides for the obligation for the Government to develop a "program for the reorganization of public spending". The main objectives are the unification of the social security institutions, the integration of the tax agencies, the coordination of the police forces.
JUMP LIBERALIZATION FOR STORE OPENINGS
The rule that provided for the extension of the liberalization of opening hours and days to all commercial establishments has been removed from the manoeuvre. The free opening of shops – as envisaged by the first maneuver of July – remains only for cities of art and tourist resorts.
SAVE THE MINI ENTITIES
Skip the rule that provides for the cancellation of entities with fewer than 70 employees.
