Nevi (FI): “On the issue of banks, the League is jeopardising the government’s credibility”

Rome. Mr Raffaele Nevi, after calling you anxious anti-Russians and rejoicing at the rise of the AfD, Matteo Salvini is now taking a dig at you over the contribution of bank profits. What on earth is going on? “What’s happening is that the League is jeopardising the government’s credibility. But enough of this cheap propaganda now.”

If we were to quote his – immortal – words, could we say that Matteo Salvini is the usual ‘sly one’? ‘Well,’ the national spokesperson for Forza Italia smiles – or rather, laughs – ‘what can I say…’. Is he? ‘Let’s just say everyone does their own thing.’ Meaning? What is Salvini doing? ‘Seeking support.’ (Given the polls...). Meanwhile, however, the government’s credibility, from FI’s point of view, is suffering. “Absolutely. It’s suffering because we managed, through the Tajani method, to secure an agreement ensuring that the substantial three-year contribution made by banks and insurance companies – amounting to over 11 billion euros – would not be passed on to account holders. You will understand that if, instead of applying the Tajani method, we decided to pursue the logic of further taxation, we would be heading for a clash rather than an agreement. Not to mention the reputational damage that these statements cause to the government…”. Yet it is the government that is making these statements. Through one of your own allies. Just yesterday, Lega Senator Claudio Borghi, speaking from the stage at the ‘A tua difesa – Verso la finanziaria’ event, said that ‘when Tajani hears talk of taxes, he turns green with envy’. ‘Yes. Borghi always makes these remarks’. So he really does believe it, Honourable Member… If nothing else, he’s no ‘sly fox’. “These are predictable remarks.” It is not a foregone conclusion, however, that the senator might now become the League’s new parliamentary group leader in the Senate. It seems Matteo Salvini is plotting against Massimiliano Romeo. You’ve heard, haven’t you? “Exactly. These are matters that do not concern me.” Yet such a replacement would reflect Salvini’s line. “What interests me, and us, is to clarify Forza Italia’s position which, let’s be clear, is not the defence of the banks but the defence of account holders and businesses. And also the defence of the government, given that we have entered into a three-year agreement.” The League accuses you of lacking courage and of favouring the banks over pensioners. “No. It’s very different. In a confrontational scenario, the banks would certainly make up for it by increasing costs for account holders, as has always happened in Italy. This would result in higher costs for current accounts and for the granting of mortgages and loans to private individuals. Exactly the opposite of what we want.” With the additional 5 per cent levy on profits – which, according to the League, could raise between 2 and 3 billion euros – Salvini says this could help families. “That is his position, and a legitimate one at that, though I do not believe the government shares it at all. Should we be asking for a greater contribution from those making substantial profits?” Agreed. But let’s be careful. Because we must also consider that banks’ profits are not necessarily money that lies idle. They can be used to strengthen our banking system, to finance investments, for example in the energy sector. But beyond that, the Tajani method has borne fruit.” Borghi, however, has even said that Sánchez’s approach is the one being applied to the banks. Perhaps all over the world, even within the League, all they can think about is Pedro-Pedro-Pè? “Sánchez… Under the Sánchez approach, the costs would be passed on to the public. In any case, I understand the need for consensus. But what matters are the things that actually happen. Enough of this propaganda now.”