ITALY – Welfare minister Roberto Maroni has criticised the latest draft of the 2005 budget, due to be voted by the Senate tomorrow.

“The economy ministry has let us know that in the latest amendments to the_budget there will be no coverage for pensions in 2005 despite the repeated assurances to the_contrary given until the day before yesterday,” Maroni was quoted by the Italian press as saying.

“I find this incomprehensible; I am convinced that this budged law is getting worse and worse,” he added.

Maroni’s statement did not make clear whether he was referring to tax incentives that were introduced in the pension reform passed in July to encouraged the development of the second pillar pensions.

Maroni’s criticism of the €24bn budget has fuelled speculation about the fairness of the budget, with the opposition claiming to have too little time to study the amendments before the vote.

However, agriculture minister Gianni Alemanno attacked his cabinet colleague’s criticism, telling the press: “Maroni has attended all the sessions and meetings leading to the_amendments. He cannot but agree.”

A spokesperson for the economy & finance ministry told IPE that the annual budget was “a collective decision” and the preparation process was generally “complex.”

“It is true this ministry drafts the budget bill, but we do it according to what has been decided by all cabinet ministers,” said the ministry’s spokesperson. “Everyone brings their bids to the budget.”

The budget is traditionally passed by the end of the year. The lower chamber of parliament has passed the preliminary draft on 17 November, supposedly leaving the path clear for the Senate to begin its discussion on 6 December.

But a 95-page amended version was presented by the cabinet to the Senate yesterday. The upper chamber is expected to vote in it by the end of tomorrow’s session.

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