ITALY’S CONSERVATIVE BLOC MANIFESTO

Italy's conservative bloc will cut taxes, crack down on immigration and scrap the current system of welfare benefits if it wins next month's election as expected, the group said in a joint manifesto. The conservative bloc includes Giorgia Meloni's far-right Brothers of Italy, Matteo Salvini's right-wing League, Silvio Berlusconi's conservative Forza Italia and several minor centrist allies.

1. Lower taxes for families, firms and the self-employed, and introduction of a so-called "flat tax" or single tax rate, on annual income of up to 100,000 euros for the self-employed and on any increase in income from one year to the next, amnesties to settle ongoing tax disputes; cut taxes for firms that hire staff; scrap “citizens’ wage” poverty relief scheme but increase other welfare benefits, hire more health workers; raise research investments to EU average.
2. Cut value added tax on essential items and energy; incentives for firms to offer workers “energy vouchers” to help pay their bills; seek Europe-wide energy “price cap”;
3. Increase minimum pensions and increase scope for early retirement.
4. Make the full use if the resources from the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan (200 billion eurosn ) re-negotiate Italy’s Recovery Plan with Brussels to take account of the energy price surge;
5. Curb illegal immigration by blocking migrant boats with the help of local African authorities and through the creation of "hot spots" run by the European Union to assess asylum requests before migrants reach the EU.
6. Overhaul of the welfare system, increasing free nursery schools and child benefits but scrapping the "citizens income" poverty relief scheme introduced in 2019. This will be replaced by "more effective measures of social inclusion and job creation.
7. It envisages a reform of Italy's constitution to introduce the direct election of the president, replacing the current system in which the head of state is elected by parliament. This will require a referendum unless the bloc wins a two-thirds majority in parliament.
8. Respect for international alliances and strengthening Italy’s diplomatic role in the geopolitical context.
9. Consider re-investing in nuclear energy, which Italy has not produced since 1990.
10. Full adherence to the process of European integration with the prospective of a more political and less bureaucratic EU, as well as protection of national interests
11. Reform of Stability and Growth Pact tax rules, aiming for greater spending flexibility. 
12. Remain committed to the eurozone but could push for reforms
13. Respect of the commitments made to NATO," including increased defence spending.
14. Support for Ukraine in its resistance against Russia's invasion while supporting all diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict.