Labour and Industry Minister and
Deputy Pre,ier Luigi Di Maio said Thursday "today is a historic
day" because 'vitalizi' parliamentary pensions will be cut.
"All of Rome will celebrate," Di Maio said.
The vitalizi are seen as a symbol of unacceptable privilege
on the part of former MPs, who get large pensions even after
attending parliament for a very short time.
Di Maio's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) has vowed
to cut them for some time.
Di Maio also said that so-called 'golden pensions' above
4,000 euros a month would be cut.
He said they would be cut "for those who have not paid in
enough contributions".
Italy should go to the EU "with a strong voice" to earn the
same kind of budget concessions that were given to France and
Spain, Di Maio went on to say.
"Italy's voice will be heard loud and clear in Europe," he
said.
"The main problem in Italy are jobs and the economy and this
is the time to find resources for the basic income, the Fornero
pension law changes and the flat tax," he said.
"WE will ask the Union to be treated like all the other
countries, like France and Spain which for years financed
reforms for families who have children, getting budget
concessions.
"We are a founding member(of the EU), and we want the same
concessions too".
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