The Lower House on Wednesday
approved a bill to scrap 'vitalizi' parliamentary pensions,
including for former lawmakers.
Vitalizi can be accrued after just one term in office and
have more generous conditions than ordinary State pensions.
For many the system has come to symbolise the privileges
Italy's ruling political 'caste' gives itself.
The bill now moves to the Senate.
If approved, it will mean the pensions of former
parliamentarians is calculated on the basis of the social
security contributions paid in and, from the next parliamentary
term, the retirement age will be the same as for normal State
pensions.
The bill was proposed by a Matteo Richetti, a member of the
ruling centre-left Democratic Party (PD).
The anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) also voted in
favour, despite frequent rows with the PD about the issue, as
did the right-wing anti-migrant Northern League.
Silvio Berlusconi's opposition centre-right Forza Italia (FI)
did not take part in the vote, arguing the bill was
unconstitutional as it works retroactively.
The head of social security and pensions agency INPS, Tito
Boeri, on Thursday called on the House and the Senate to "make
public the data regarding contributions paid by
parliamentarians".
He said this was important for transparency in order to have
"informed debate".
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
