He was against the bank tax and in favour of cutting personal income tax. The Budget Bill brings two disappointments for Forza Italia

The Lazio Regional Administrative Court and the Council of State have ordered Palazzo Chigi to set three-yearly adjustments to the salaries of senior judges in excess of the established amounts and to update the remuneration for consultants dating back to 2002. The cost is expected to exceed 200 million euros.

Amid the debate on the Budget Bill, discussion has returned to the infamous tax, which, however, raises problems from various perspectives: it is not only unjustified, it is a mistake in economic policy

MPs and senators will return from their summer recess on 9 September. The key issues when Parliament resumes will be the electoral law – with the issue of preferential votes – and the budget, with discontent even amongst some members of the ruling coalition over defence spending

Placing a major social issue such as lack of self-sufficiency at the heart of the forthcoming Budget Bill may be a way for politicians to consider both future generations and the next elections