And yet, some argued that the government still found enough money to satisfy less urgent — and more political — priorities.
Along with the tax cuts and parental subsidies, a proposed windfall tax on banks was watered down to avoid irking the pro-business flank of the ruling coalition. The mooted imposition of a larger tax on cryptocurrency gains was diluted and delayed. Earlier this month, outcry ensued after the mysterious addition (and equally mysterious withdrawal) of a norm that would have increased certain ministers’ salaries by €7,000. As much as €15 billion meanwhile has been earmarked for a bridge linking Sicily and the Italian mainland that is seen by some as a vanity project.
“Another bloodbath will hit the household bills of struggling families in January, which will increase for over 3 million vulnerable people, many over 75 and disabled,” 5Star Movement leader Giuseppe Conte said in a post on X on Saturday. “But you know, the high cost of living of citizens is not a problem for this government, which prioritizes the difficulties of the ‘poor’ ministers who demand salary increases.”
“They’re cutting spending for social services, health care, schools and public transport, but they’re spending €15 billion for the bridge over the strait of Messina and for investments in arms,” added Green and Left Alliance lawmaker Angelo Bonelli. “It’s the worst budget of all time.”
Others groused that the bill was hurried through the Senate, the Italian parliament’s upper chamber, after getting the green light from lawmakers in the lower house earlier this month. Opposition lawmakers had come equipped with some 800 amendments but were given almost no time to discuss them, they said.
“Meloni is violating all the rules of parliament … you put party before country,” Senator Matteo Renzi, leader of the center-left Italia Viva party and a former Italian prime minister, said Saturday in a direct address to the opposition.
But otherwise, Renzi added, he didn’t have much else to criticize — “because there is nothing in this budget.”
