Berlusconi blasts government, promises lower taxes

(ANSA) - Rome, December 24 - Silvio Berlusconi on Wednesday blasted Premier Matteo Renzi's government and promised to revive the fortunes of his opposition centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party with a programme of lowering taxes.
    The three-time premier reiterated that his support for Renzi's plan to introduce a new electoral system and overhaul the country's cost, slowing moving political machinery did not extend to other areas of policy.
    He also said he will be able to boost FI, which performed badly at recent local elections and whose popularity has dropped significantly in the polls, when limitations on his movements end early next year when he completes community service related to a tax-fraud conviction.
    "Unfortunately, this government is far from approving the liberal programme that is the only way to get us out of this crisis," Berlusconi said in a video released on FI's website and on social media. "The programme that we will put into practice whenever we have the responsibility of government, is the liberal formula of prosperity and growth that has always worked wherever it has been applied.
    "It's a three-point programme. First point - fewer taxes; second point - fewer taxes; third point - even fewer taxes". Berlusconi also reiterated his proposal of introducing a "flat tax" - a 20% flat rate tax that would be the same for households and businesses.