The Contract with the Italians () is a document presented and signed by Silvio Berlusconi on May 8, 2001, during the television program Porta a Porta conducted by Bruno Vespa. With it Silvio Berlusconi, head of the opposition at the time, committed himself, in the event of electoral victory, to enact various reforms summarized in 5 points, and in case of failure to achieve at least 4 points, not to run again in subsequent elections.
History
The Contract with the Italians was not invented by Silvio Berlusconi, but was copied outright by his advisor Luigi Crespi from Newt Gingrich's Contract with America introduced six weeks before the 1994 US Congressional election.
The "Contract" text
Contract with the Italians,
between Silvio Berlusconi, born September 29, 1936, in Milan, leader of Forza Italia and Casa delle Libertà, in agreement with all the allies of the coalition, and the Italian citizens, it is hereby agreed as follows.
Silvio Berlusconi, in the event of electoral victory of Casa delle Libertà, commits himself as Prime Minister to achieve the following objectives in five years: Reduction of the tax burden: with full tax exemption from incomes up to 22 million Lire per year (€11,362.05); with the reduction to 23% for incomes up to 200 million Lire per year (€103,291.38); with the reduction to 33% for incomes above 200 million Lire per year (€103,291.38); with the abolition of inheritance tax and donations tax. Implementing the "Plan for the protection of citizens and the prevention of crime" which provides, among other things, the institution of "district police officer" in the city, with a result of a sharp reduction in the number of crimes from the current 3 million. Raising the minimum pension to at least 1 million Lire per month (€516.46). Halving the current rate of unemployment with the creation of at least 1 ½ million workplaces. Opening of the sites for at least 40% of the investments under the "Ten Year Plan for Great Works" (Piano Decennale per le Grandi Opere) considered an emergency and comprising roads, highways, subways, railways, water networks and hydro-geological works for flood defense.
In the event that at the end of 5 years of government at least 4 of 5 of such goals were not achieved, Silvio Berlusconi formally agrees not to resubmit its nomination to the next parliamentary elections.
In witness, Silvio Berlusconi
The contract will be rendered valid and operative May 13, 2001 by the vote of Italian electors.
Debate on the application of the five points
A great debate has emerged about these points have been respected or not.
Silvio Berlusconi has repeatedly publicly affirmed that four of the five have been respected. The first point, namely the lowering of the rates would not have been implemented because of resistance within the center-right coalition.
According to sociologist Luca Ricolfi, when asked if Berlusconi had honored the contract with the Italians, he replied: "No. He did not have to stand for election if he was a man of honor. He had only a promise kept completely out of five, that of pensions. On average, the promises of Berlusconi were kept only 60%. "
Journalists Marco Travaglio and Peter Gomez, in their book Le mille balle blu, have stated that none of the five points was complied and concluded ironically: "Although missed all five goals, Silvio Berlusconi is re-nominated. So does not maintain even the sixth and final commitment"
Reduction of tax burden
Berlusconi agreed to move to a system of two rates, a 23% (for incomes up to about 100,000 euros) and a 33% (for incomes over 100,000 euros), with the addition of the exemption from fees for incomes less than 11,000 per year, also provided for the total abolition of taxes on inheritance and donations. The economic measures led to a change of tax brackets. The two aliquots have not been introduced, while taxes on inheritance and donations have been effectively abolished for incomes over 350 million Lire (€180759.91). According to ISTAT data the tax burden from 2001 to 2004 decreased by 0.1%, from 40.7% to 40.6%, while according to estimates by the Berlusconi government, the tax burden from 2001 to 2004 would have fall by 0.4%, from 42.2% to 41.8% of GDP. From the estimates of Marco Travaglio and Peter Gomez, however, the tax burden during the legislature has increased overall, taking into account the increase of local taxes and tariffs.