Meloni: “I trust the allies, made political choices. On Covid checks without deprivation of freedom. The vouchers? Better than black. No abuses on wiretapping, justice reform is a priority “. And he quotes Sara Khadem

A few minutes before noon, Giorgia Meloni presents her first maneuver as prime minister and says to journalists: I’m a journalist too, politics is transitory. And she goes straight down on the government front, with her majority: “I trust my allies in the government, beyond the natural debates within” a coalition, “there are different nuances but the facts count”. The prime minister recalls how the green light for the budget law was not “easy. It was a political maneuver. While managing to invest most of the resources on expensive bills, we managed to start keeping the commitments made», says Meloni. “The budget law was approved in an hour,” she recalls. «The will is to work well and meet deadlines. We succeeded. I find an absolutely positive climate in the majority, I certainly can’t complain. Then, the first mention of the Covid node: “We moved immediately due to the new situation, but the measure on swabs from those arriving from China is taken at the EU level”. “There is this situation in China, we took action immediately. In line with what we had asked to do in the past”. “We expect the European Union to want to work in this direction”, observes Meloni, “the news that Minister Schillaci is giving me now is that at this moment” it is necessary to send a “reassuring” message, because most of the cases found “are related to Omicron”. «I think checks, swabs, masks are useful. My idea is that we should work on empowering citizens rather than coercion. I intend to do so in the future as well. The situation in Italy is quite under control, we are monitoring minute by minute», and concludes: «Minister Schillaci tells me that out of 30 cases the first 15 sequenced» of Covid of people from China «are omicron variants already present in Italy: right now the situation should be quite reassuring. And he quotes Sara Khadem, whose gesture “gives value and freedom”.

The work theme

«I believe that creating the conditions to improve the quality of work – explains Giorgia Meloni during the press conference – is a matter in Italy that above all concerns the issue of economic growth. In other words, we need to put people in a position to hire. And we are moving exactly in this direction, removing some quibbles that are counterproductive for us to give signals on tax relief. For example, we have envisaged a measure that concerns the total decontribution for those who hire on permanent contracts. We need to create the conditions for hiring so that poverty is not brought down by decree”. And on the citizen’s income she insists: “You have to get involved”. The vouchers? “Better than black.”

Basic income

On basic income and job offers «when we talk about the issue of congruity, we need to understand each other. Of course, one must not and one cannot speak of underpaid work or exploitation. But if the topic is I don’t consider this job up to my expectations or studies, that’s a different topic. We would all like to find the job of our dreams, but here the question is whether I prefer to stay at home instead of doing a decent job». “It is easier – he explains – for people to get involved if there is no belief that the State supports you, which I believe is what the basic income did”.

Home taxes

“A mapping can be done on the reform of the cadastre – the premier articulates – to improve knowledge of Italian construction but this government will never start an increase in taxation on the house which I consider an asset that cannot be foreclosed”.

Tax and reform

“There are no amnesties in our budget law.” Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni underlines this in the press conference at the end of the year. “We want to imagine a dialogue with taxpayers without favoring tax evaders in any way”, observes the Prime Minister, recalling, among other things, the hiring of staff of the Revenue Agencies and the rule against “open and close companies”. “We’re favoring common sense things.” And he explains: «I confirm that we want to move forward on the tax reform according to visible guidelines already in the financial maneuver with the items in the budget», Meloni said, specifying that among «the guidelines on which the reform must move, there is the cut in labor costs and much more needs to be done on this. We gave a signal with the cut in the tax wedge, but I would like to continue on this. Our goal for the legislature is 5 points of cuts and we will see if we can do this, something more or less». The second objective, he continued, is «taxation that takes into account the composition of the family nucleus. We consider the issue of parenting support a priority and taxation must also take this into account”. For Meloni, the question also has significance “on the stability of welfare”. Finally, the third objective is to promote a “taxation that provides more incentive for those who get involved and create wealth: the theme – you concluded – is the more you hire and the less you pay”.

Power
«Faithful to the teaching of Pope John II, I say that in Africa we need to have a different approach from the one seen in recent years. The issue of energy offers Europe an opportunity to return to being present in Africa» and «offers Italy to be the leading nation of this new European approach to Africa. African countries are interested in new energy supply technologies. I believe that with few resources spent well, we can reason to produce the energy we need by diversifying the sources of supply and making Italy the gateway to this energy». Meloni relaunched the “Mattei plan for Africa”. «The approach Mattei described was not predatory», he observes, «we go – observed the prime minister, citing among other things the work of ENI – not to take something away but to leave something. This is why there is great demand for Italy in Africa».

Vaccines against Covid

«There is a government campaign which calls for vaccination, especially the elderly and frail, those most at risk. They are the ones on whom I can make the most decisive invitation. For the others, the invitation is to go to the doctor, to those who know more than me. We are inviting you to proceed in this direction”. Giorgia Meloni said it, speaking of Covid.
Migrants and naval blockade
«I didn’t talk about the naval blockade as many of you journalists have told it. I don’t mean a naval blockade against the will of North African countries and then we start war. The naval blockade as I understand it is a European mission.’

Justice reform is priority
«The reform of justice is a priority. Courage is not lacking in us. I believe that this government, bringing together the souls of the majority, has a balanced view on the matter. We have chosen an excellent Minister of Justice who is determined to move forward. In the coming months we will work on justice reform, Meloni added, speaking in particular of the separation of careers. There will be a reform that will be able to help Italy above all to give justice a coupon”. And then: «Parliament has presented an odg to ask for the return to the prescription as it was before the Bonafede reform and the Government has given a favorable opinion. We understand this indication, it is an indication of common sense. The prescription is a foundation of the rule of law, we risk having suspects or defendants for life. I think there is a transversal consensus on this, it is one of the elements that are close to our hearts».