Rome, 14 Oct. (LaPresse) – The budget “will not be” tears and blood; “we’ll leave that to the sad memories of Monti and Fornero. We are working on a pragmatic, bold budget bill that stands with those who work and produce. For the League, the priority is people, not ideologies: an earlier retirement age than the current 67, extension of the 15 per cent flat tax to all VAT-registered individuals, concrete support to tackle high energy costs, and free or discounted transport for students and commuters.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini in an interview with *Il Giornale*. When asked what the League is calling for in terms of pension reform, he replied: “This government has already increased everyone’s pensions every year, permanently lifting the freeze on index-link adjustments, but we need to go further and allow those who have worked all their lives to retire at 64, thereby opening up job opportunities for just as many young people. We are working, alongside Giorgetti and Durigon, to offer workers greater freedom of choice. Today, Italian workers are among those who retire latest in the whole of Europe.” On the possibility of taxing banks for ‘extra’ profits, Salvini states: “There are no ‘extra’ profits; there are enormous profits, made from the money paid by Italians in the form of bank charges and interest on loans. If the banking system is recording profits running into tens of billions of euros, I believe it is reasonable to ask for a contribution to support families and businesses.”
Budget, Salvini: “It won’t be tears and blood; we want retirement at 64”
Rome, 14 Oct. (LaPresse) – The budget “will not be” tears and blood; “we’ll leave that to the sad memories of Monti and Fornero. We are working on a pragmatic, bold budget bill that stands with those who work and produce. For the League, the priority is people, not ideologies: an earlier retirement age than the current 67, extension of the 15 per cent flat tax to all VAT-registered individuals, concrete support to tackle high energy costs, and free or discounted transport for students and commuters.” This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini in an interview with *Il Giornale*. When asked what the League is calling for in terms of pension reform, he replied: “This government has already increased everyone’s pensions every year, permanently lifting the freeze on index-link adjustments, but we need to go further and allow those who have worked all their lives to retire at 64, thereby opening up job opportunities for just as many young people. We are working, alongside Giorgetti and Durigon, to offer workers greater freedom of choice. Today, Italian workers are among those who retire latest in the whole of Europe.” On the possibility of taxing banks for ‘extra’ profits, Salvini states: “There are no ‘extra’ profits; there are enormous profits, made from the money paid by Italians in the form of bank charges and interest on loans. If the banking system is recording profits running into tens of billions of euros, I believe it is reasonable to ask for a contribution to support families and businesses.”