The Italian government has initiated the parliamentary process for the Budget Bill 2025, which aims to address various areas such as tax reduction, deductions reorganization, and public spending review.
The bill has sparked controversy, particularly regarding its impact on pensions and healthcare. The healthcare sector is a focal point of contention, with medical unions expressing dissatisfaction over what they consider insufficient funding. A strike has been announced for November 20 in protest against perceived reductions in healthcare resources.
The allocation for healthcare in the 2025 budget is 1.3 billion euros, which unions argue falls short of expectations. The budget also introduces a new bonus for employee pay and tightens tax deductions for higher incomes. The banking sector is expected to contribute significantly to state revenues.
The budget's provisions for pensions have also ignited controversy, with unions criticizing the planned increase in minimum pensions as inadequate. Cuts to public entities, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, are another significant aspect of the budget. The national broadcaster RAI is facing pressure to reduce expenditures, and cuts will impact the education sector and the Public Administration.
The budget bill is currently progressing through Parliament, with a margin for potential amendments. The outcome of this budget will shape Italy's economic landscape and influence the discourse on social welfare and public services in the country.