It never changes. There are many amendments to the budget every year: this time the quota is almost six thousand. But it is not only the opposition that is putting down on paper a different idea of economic policy, even the majority parties – with 1,600 proposals – have shown the ambition of wanting to rewrite a large part of the budget law.
And in the welter of requests, it is the Brothers of Italy who bring out something new: the senators of the prime minister’s party are asking to reopen the building amnesty from 2003, when Silvio Berlusconi was in Palazzo Chigi.
The measure potentially concerns all of Italy but in fact it was designed in particular for Campania, which at the time under Bassolino’s leadership did not join. The intention is explicitly declared by FdI but the opposition’s accusation of wanting to “buy votes” in view of the regional elections at the end of November is valid. “Thousands” of houses will be “saved from demolition”, is the promise of FdI senator Antonio Iannone.
Of course, this time too, as twenty years ago, it will be up to the Regions to implement the rules and define their perimeter, the party highlights. Therefore, it is underlined, no “obligation”.
A choice that is seen as a remedy for the mistakes of the past: «There were people who had the opportunity to access the amnesty and others, instead of paying, were left out due to the mistake of the Campania Region, then administered by the centre-left. Clearly we are talking about buildings not built in red zones.”
The idea is not a last-minute one: in June, the Environment Committee of the Chamber was assigned to examine a bill, signed by the deputy Imma Vieri, of which the amendment is a photocopy. And there are great chances that the modification will end up on the table of the so-called reported, whose number is far lower than the proposals contained in the folders deposited in the commission: the overall quota is in fact around 400 (238 majority), destined to fall further.
If the idea of a new amnesty is supported by the government to the point that it can be approved, this is what the opposition is clamoring for: «Does Meloni know? Do you think it is an appropriate amendment?”, is the question of the Dem group leader at Palazzo Madama Francesco Boccia.
«More than an amendment, it seems to us to be an electoral campaign promise: vote for us and we will reopen the building amnesty», he says again from Naples. “We are on the verge of an exchange vote”, accuse the Democratic group leader in the Finance Committee of the Chamber, Virginio Merola and Angelo Bonelli of Avs. An “impious” choice, adds M5S senator Luigi Nave. While awaiting the battle in the commission at the time of the vote – which will not take place before December – in the meantime all the parties have refined their proposals.
The League confirms its intention to recover revenue from the increase in the levy on banks and insurance companies, raising IRAP by another two points or asking to use the ESM to finance healthcare. Forza Italia doesn’t give up on short-term rentals and businesses: the request is to cancel the increase in flat rate tax or to eliminate the rule on dividends.
Among the hedges, the tax on gold remains. FdI proposes the cancellation of the extension of the increase in the tourist tax, but also the expected tax on non-EU packages.
We Moderates want the book bonus and concessions for long-term rentals. Finally, there are the proposals signed by the opposition which overall has deposited around 4 thousand amendments in the offices: only 16 are unitary, or almost unitary. In fact, the agreement is signed between Pd-M5s-Avs-Iv (and PiùEuropa will be added to the Chamber) but Action is missing from the appeal.
There is the minimum wage, more funds for security by cutting the resources allocated to the Italy-Albania agreement, the restoration of the women’s option and equal leave. And also the patrimonial one, signed however only by the Green Alliance and the Left.