Draghi seals agreement on 2022 budget package

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 28 - Premier Mario Draghi's cabinet is set to approve the 2022 budget bill on Thursday after an agreement on pension reform was reached at a meeting of representatives of the parties supporting the executive on Wednesday.
    Draghi had said that, after three years, the 'quota 100' pension system allowing for early retirement if the sum of age and years worked reached 100 would be scrapped on the grounds that it is too costly for the State.
    But Italy's trade unions and Matteo Salvini's League, which championed the quota 100 when it as passed by a past government, were unhappy about this.
    On Wednesday a compromise was agreed that will see the 'quota 100' system replaced in 2022 by one which will require this sum of age and years of contributions to equal at least 102.
    The compromise leaves what will happen after 2022 open.
    Draghi reportedly wanted bring in a 'quota 102' or 'quota 104' system as a temporary stepping stone to a system in which everyone would have to reach the full retirement age of over 67 to start claiming a State pension.
    Draghi has also decided to definitively scrap the 'cashback' system in which consumers could get up 150 euros from the State every six months by using cards to make purchases.
    The system, which sought to fight tax evasion by encouraging people to use payment methods that can be traced and was passed by the previous government of 5-Star Movement (M5S) leader Giuseppe Conte, was suspended at the start of the year.
    "Now we must work to make our country even more fair and cohesive," said Draghi. (ANSA).