The lashing of Libero to do something typical of the centre-right – namely, to cut taxes for Italians – is in line with the proposals put forward by the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Forza Italia, Antonio Tajani, who thanked Director Sallusti “for bringing them to the fore in his editorial”.
Minister, the elections are drawing near, and in order to carry on with the government’s action, we need to take a leap forward, regarding the need to lower taxes. What is the government doing in this regard?
“The mantra is always the same as Berlusconi’s: lower taxes, lower taxes, lower taxes. We are working to put forward a series of proposals to the coalition, some of which can be implemented immediately, whilst others are to be included on the agenda for the next parliamentary term.”
Let’s get down to brass tacks. Can you give us some priorities to work on with our allies?
“The first is to reduce the tax burden on thirteen monthly salary: the lowest amounts should be 100 per cent tax-free, with a progressive tax rate applied as the amount increases. The other idea we are working on is the reduction or abolition of vehicle tax for cars and motorbikes. The third measure concerns the reduction in the IRPEF rate from 35 to 33 per cent for incomes of up to EUR 60,000. But there are other very important changes: one is to allow tax relief on healthcare expenses in the year in which they are incurred, rather than in the following year. That’s because if I need treatment, I need the resources straight away. Another issue we are working on is that of young people. Let’s consider tax breaks for start-ups (no tax for the first five years) and for those who invest in them, or for those who take on young people. And even more benefits for women, in addition to the ones that already exist. Finally, we are looking into the idea of a Flat Tax that rewards those who produce the most.”
Could you explain that to us in more detail?
“It could be summed up like this: the more you produce, the less you pay. This applies only to the portion of personal income (IRPEF) that exceeds the amount declared in the previous year. For the additional portion, we are considering a low fixed rate.”
Where will you find the money to carry out all these operations?
“In Italy, private savings amount to between EUR 1,800 and 2,000 billion. If some Italians were to invest in major infrastructure and large-scale public projects through public-private partnerships, the State would spend less and have more resources available to cut taxes. Obviously, these would be voluntary investments that would guarantee a financial return, and which might primarily involve pension funds or insurance companies. This idea was copied from us by Elly Schlein, with the difference that, in reality, the whole of the left wants to target those savings through a wealth tax. We will never allow that.”
Realistically, of all the ideas you have put forward, which ones can be implemented straight away, and which ones will end up in the election manifesto to be presented to the Italian people when Parliament is renewed?
“We will discuss this with our allies and will also base our decision on the public finances. The important thing is to open up the debate on tax matters and establish the principle that those who pay their taxes conscientiously should be rewarded.”
But the elections are next year – how will you stand in the elections? With mere promises?
“Of course not. We’ve got results that are there for all to see. Since 2022, we have reduced the tax burden on households and small businesses by EUR 33 billion; we have created 1.2 million new jobs; we have drastically reduced the spread; the Stock Exchange has grown despite wars and tariffs; and we have also achieved extraordinary results in exports, with a growth of 3.3 per cent and a volume approaching EUR 700 billion. In short, over the past few years we have laid the foundations for growth, and over the next few years we will build the house.”
What is the main reason for these results?
“Government stability fosters international credibility – not only political but also economic – by attracting foreign investment and enabling investors to plan for the long term. This is precisely what the new electoral law will also serve to achieve. To give even greater stability to the government that will win the election.”
On the subject of electoral law, there has been a great deal of controversy and more than a few political disagreements within the centre-right. Will you find a solution?
“The centre-right has always managed to find it, from 1994 to the present day. We are three parties who sometimes hold differing views, but in the end the political will to strengthen our shared project always prevails. Unlike the left, which is an electoral alliance, we are a coalition united by a common cause: freedom.”
Another hot topic at the moment is the rise in fuel prices. Will you be taking action? And if so, how?
“In the short term, variable excise duties (using the increase in VAT revenue generated by price rises to lower prices at the pump, ed.) are a measure that can be implemented immediately. Furthermore, as Forza Italia, we proposed looking into the creation of a bonus for low-income employees in the private sector. From a more strategic perspective, however, we will put forward a proposal in Parliament to make use of the greater flexibility granted to us by the EU to counter the effects of the energy crisis.”
Let’s change the subject. Berlin has once again witnessed the brutal face of Islamic terrorism. This is a problem that must also be tackled in Italy…
“There is objectively a threat linked to Islamic terrorism, because there are ‘lone wolves’ who then connect with one another via social media, but that is not all. We should bear in mind that in sub-Saharan Africa, Islamic terrorism is very prevalent and is linked to irregular migration. We must keep a close eye on those arriving. And the same goes for second-generation immigrants who become radicalised. The much-contested security expenditure serves this purpose too, not just to buy weapons.”
From the No Tav clashes in Chiomonte to those in Bologna, the protest movement is becoming increasingly violent…
“It had been years since Molotov cocktails had been thrown at law enforcement. These are premeditated attacks, some of which are organised at an international level. There are likely to be connections from Chiomonte to Bologna. These demonstrations must be nipped in the bud, because we are dealing with criminals. This is not the right to protest, and the State has no choice but to take a very hard line against those who behave in a violent and subversive manner.”
In your experience, does the left bear any responsibility for this escalation?
“There are bad teachers, that is undeniable. Hatred towards law enforcement among certain sections of the left is nothing new. I always remember Pasolini saying that he was on the side of the police officers who were ‘sons of the people’, and not on the side of the spoilt rich kids who, instead of studying, attacked them. And then, you see, on the left, even when these actions are condemned, there’s always an implied ‘but’. In short, the left is issuing belated and perfunctory condemnations, which are never sincere or substantive.”
