Italy’s budget bill proposes new limits on future salary increases for magistrates, reopening a sensitive dispute between the government and the judiciary. The measure follows rulings by the Regional Administrative Tribunal and the Council of State that rejected previous methods used to calculate adjustments.
Article 67 would introduce two changes to the automatic increase system from 2027. The statistics office would calculate adjustments using a weighted average that reflects the number of workers in each category, covering magistrates, state attorneys and state prosecutors. Arrears resulting from delayed public-sector contract renewals would also be excluded from the calculation.
The government’s technical report describes the changes as necessary to prevent duplicate payments and contain public spending. It states that the provisions will not have retroactive effects.
The National Magistrates’ Association has issued a warning while it awaits a detailed review of the text. Its president, Giuseppe Tango, said that safeguarding judges’ pay is a condition for protecting the independence of the judiciary, a principle he said is also recognized by the European Union Court of Justice and Italy’s Constitutional Court.
A separate dispute concerns nearly 970 million euros in arrears. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently said she did not intend to sign a specific decree to address the payments, leaving open the possibility that administrative judges could appoint a commissioner. That position prompted strong criticism from the magistrates’ association.
The bill also allocates 6.03 billion euros in aid to companies between 2027 and 2030. Of that amount, 2.5 billion euros would go to energy-intensive businesses and 3.53 billion euros to small and medium-sized companies that are not energy-intensive. Recipients would have to invest at least 100% of the aid in measures to reduce consumption and emissions, including renewable energy, efficiency improvements, storage systems and the electrification of production processes. The Energy Services Manager would oversee compliance.
The financing includes 2.6 billion euros from the Asos component of electricity bills in 2029 and 2030. The bill would also remove Italy’s two-euro levy on small parcels arriving from outside the European Union.
Banks continue to object to parts of the proposal, particularly the rules on the deductibility of regional business tax, on which the sector hopes Parliament will introduce changes. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini defended the approach, saying that everyone should make their full contribution.
Parliament will now examine the bill and possible amendments. Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani is due to meet CISL secretary general Daniela Fumarola during the week to discuss the union’s proposals. The UIL has also protested over a planned reduction of almost 7,000 positions among teachers and administrative, technical and auxiliary school staff.
Opposition parties have criticized the plan, while concerns have also been raised about a provision on earthquake safety. Funding for securing public buildings would fall from 60 million to 30 million euros annually in 2027 and 2028, with the funds shifted to the following two-year period. The text also maintains the so-called Giorgetti bonus, an incentive for workers who postpone retirement, alongside measures that have prompted criticism over pensions.
Sources: ANSA Economia.