Deputy Premier and Interior Minister
Matteo Salvini told the big three trade unions and employers'
groups Monday that the government wanted to define next year's
budget bill by August and was keen to get their input, irking
Premier Giuseppe Conte who said it was up to him and not his
deputy to decide the format and timetable of any budget talks.
"We want the budget to be brought forward a lot, we want to
define its (main) points between July and August and we want to
accept your suggestions," far-right League party leader Salvini
told CGIL, CISL and UIL and employers including Confindustria,
Confartigianato, Confedilizia, Legacoop, Confcooperative and
Ania, as well as Italian Banking Association ABI
Salvini also said Monday's talks would be the start of a
series of encounters with the so-called 'social partners'.
"It's the start of a process," he said, while stressing "we
don't want to stand in for the premier".
He announced a new round of talks within a fortnight, or in
any case before the end of the summer, union and employer
sources said.
The government wants to frame a budget that will stick to EU
rules while finding the cash to pass a 15% flat tax.
At the meeting with unions and employers, League economic
pointman Armando Siri said the flat tax would benefit 20 million
households and 40 million taxpayers.
Salvini said that there would be fresh talks with unions and
employers "at the start of August".
He said many of those present had complained about
"shortcomings" from some ministries or ministerial offices, but
not the League's, so "we will try to stimulate (them)".
There had also been a "unanimous" call for a major public
works plan.
Salvini voiced "full confidence" in Conte and said the budget
would be passed "as soon as possible".
Premier Conte said Salvini had committed an "institutional
foul" by discussing the budget issues with unions and employers
and allegedly flouting accepted practice.
"The budget is done here (at the cabinet office), by the
economy minister and all the other ministers concerned and it is
not done elsewhere, it is not done today," said Conte.
"The timetable, I am at pains to point out, is decided by the
premier's office, having heard the ministers, starting with the
economy minister.
"The timetable is not decided by others".
As for the presence of Siri, who stepped down as transport
economy undersecretary amid a probe into alleged corruption by a
Sicilian wind farm king linked to Cosa Nostra's No 1 fugitive,
Conte said "if it was a party summit it is OK, but if it was a
government summit, it's not Ok".
Deputy Premier, Labour and Industry Minister and 5-Star
Movement (M5S) leader Luigi Di Maio lashed out against the
unions for talking to Siri, who is under investigation for
corruption over an amendment that was never passed.
"If they want to deal with someone under investigation for
corruption who was removed from the government, instead of with
the government itself, we will take this into account. We will
act accordingly," said Di Maio, whose M5S is officially the
League's senior partner although Salvini's nationalist group has
now far outstripped it in the opinion polls.
"Now I understand why some unions attacked our proposal on
minimum wages. Let them speak to Siri, let them speak to those
wanting to protect 'golden pensions' and privileges. They chose
their side, and we will too.
"As far as I am concerned, we have had enough of putting on
plays and we must focus on governing," Di Maio wrote on Facebook
after Siri took part in the negotiations at the interior
ministry.
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