Roberto Gualtieri (Getty images)

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29 September 2019 "When I swore I knew that they had called me to find 23 billion in 23 days, the task is demanding, to find the framework it is necessary to make maximum use of the flexibility spaces of the stability and growth pact". But Roberto Gualtieri, Minister of Economy and Finance, says that "we will not make a restrictive maneuver, despite the initial request of Europe, which said to reduce the structural deficit by 0.6%. We will do a small expansion", with the goal of "reducing public debt" but without "a restrictive maneuver that would have a negative effect on the economy", in his speech to Mezz'ora in più on RaiTre.

"Thirty billion is a well-defined figure", he replied on the figures of the maneuver. "Yes - said Gualtieri - it could be a credible and well-defined figure if we add up the 23 billion and the measures we want to put in place". There will probably also be a fiscal decree, the minister added.

Selective re-modulation
To prevent the increase in VAT "we are working on various hypotheses," said Gualtieri, "but the natural forum for deciding which path to follow is the maneuver and not Nadef, the Note to update the Def, on the agenda of the Council of Ministers. "I read pieces of quite fanciful indiscretions - the minister adds - for this I invite the readers to a certain prudence. There are various hypotheses in the study that in any case would produce a reduction in VAT. It can be done through selective remodulation or other mechanisms. We're working on it".

What does selective remodulation mean? asks the journalist Lucia Annunziata: "For example, lowering the VAT on some products and raising it for others but, I repeat, there are only hypotheses under study", replies Gualtieri, adding that the Government's goal "is not just to make ends meet accounts but seize the opportunity to make a pact with the Italians, carry out a cultural transformation "which would also lead to a reduction in the tax burden.

No cuts in health and education
Regarding the contents of the Def, Gualtieri does not say: "The number of the deficit / GDP ratio? It is better not to declare 2.4% by raising the spread and then 2.04%; better to be in the middle from the beginning, without disruption" then travel "a wise middle way". And on the tax law decree, "it is a tool that will most likely be there". A decidedly no to cuts to health and education: "In the coming months we will carry out an in-depth study to identify further margins to reduce public spending, but there will be no cuts in schools, health, universities. We cannot afford it because it would be counterproductive" .

Confirmed Quota 100
The superticket will gradually be overcome: "The government has a three-year horizon, there are no single spot maneuvers. The route is clear and there is a gradual commitment to overcoming the superticket", the minister says. Gualtieri also confirms the commitments for Quota 100: "It is not serious to change the social security system every year" and therefore the yellow-red government has decided to confirm the law in maneuver. "This is a measure that is being exhausted," the minister underlined. With regard to citizenship income, the part of active labor policies will be strengthened.

The mini Flat Tax remains
"We are not in favor of the Flat Tax. We want to reduce taxes progressively," says the Economy Minister. But the "mini Flat Tax" for VAT Numberings is "a measure of the previous government that has launched a further 100,000 euro increase for the next year: it is no mystery that I am not a fan of this measure, I consider it not correct, but since it is not serious to change the cards from one year to the next in a too radical way ", the measure up to 65 thousand euros is confirmed. But I would like not to trigger the new additional threshold ".

Finally, as regards Italy's role in the European Union, Minister Gualtieri states that "Italy must return to being Europe's protagonist" and the yellow-red government is "a pro-European government without ifs and buts ".