- The Italian Democratic Party has proposed that a minimum tax of 4% be imposed on those who earn more than EUR 80,000 a year. This percentage would be increased as the profits were higher and 8% taxes on annual incomes above EUR 1 million would be applied. The money raised would be used to repair the economic damage caused by the epidemic.
The measure has been proposed by the Italian Democratic Party, which won about 23% of the votes in the 2018 elections. Italy is one of the European countries most affected by the coronavirus, both in terms of number of infections and in terms of economy. Last March, it granted aid amounting to EUR 25 billion for the health system and the unemployed. In April it approved a budget of EUR 400bn to help businesses and boost exports.
But it's not enough. To alleviate the economic impact of the epidemic, the party proposes a new tax on higher incomes, with the aim of helping families who "have no other property to buy preferred products".
The Democratic Party estimates that this tax would be taxed at more than EUR 1.250 million. It would be about 803,000 people who would have to pay, that is, 1.95% of the tax-paying population. This approach also provides for exceptions. For example, doctors should not pay the tax. “It is a gesture of solidarity between the powerful classes and the poor,” said Democratic Party Member Fabio Melilli.
He has received criticism from the majority of the House and from the opposition of the House. Deputy Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and Deputy Minister of Economic Development Stefano Buffagni have said that members of the Democratic Party can reduce their salaries by absurdity of the measure. Former Deputy Minister of the Interior, Matteo Salvini, has also opposed the measure and said that they are going to "stop" it.