Edward Marchesi The government has just presented the final text of the 2027 budget . Even the first few lines reveal choices that, according to the main unions, penalize the majority of the population: wage earners and pensioners, who represent 92% of households, receive no concrete support.
CGIL's reactions to the 2027 budget
The Italian General Confederation of Labor ( CGIL ) has defined the budget proposal as “written by a government from another planet”.
The union emphasizes that the personal income tax reductions are limited to an income bracket between €50.000 and €55.000, with an annual reduction of €100-€500, while the flat tax is extended up to €100.000 for wealthier professionals. At the same time, the CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) warns of a raise in the retirement age, which will take effect starting in January 2027 and reach 67 years and 6 months, or 43 years and 4 months of contributions, in 2029.
Ventura on cuts to income and pensions
The budget document also notes a reduction in the revaluation of social security benefits of between 15% and 68%. The CGIL warns that these cuts will further erode the purchasing power of those who depend exclusively on their wages or pensions, exacerbating the already high level of economic poverty.
The organization notes that public healthcare spending is expected to drop from the current 6,14% of GDP to 5,83% by 2029, a decline that will make it even more difficult to guarantee essential services.
Healthcare: insufficient investment and privatization
The budget allocated for healthcare amounts to €2,4 billion. The CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) warns that most of these funds will be directed to the accredited private sector and pharmaceutical companies, with a further €1,6 billion earmarked for bonuses for those over 75. According to trade union press, these resources do not cover inflation, the hiring required to support community healthcare, or even the investments envisaged by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP). The result is a defunding of public healthcare that risks compromising the right to healthcare for all citizens.
Cuts to school staff and support for private schools
In the education sector, the bill provides for the elimination of 4.925 teacher training positions and 2.049 ATA staff positions starting next school year. At the same time, the CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) notes the continued funding for private schools, with over €200 million allocated for the €1.500 "school voucher" for enrollment in private schools. The CISL (Italian Union of Labour and Workers' Confederation), represented by Daniela Fumarola, calls these measures "unacceptable" and calls for the cuts to be reversed, arguing that education is a strategic priority for social cohesion and the country's development.
Confsal and the defense of school staff rights
The National Confederation of School Officials ( Confsal ) responded that staff reductions run counter to the real needs of schools. Angelo Raffaele Margiotta, secretary general, stated that requiring schools to guarantee quality and inclusion while simultaneously reducing staff is a logical contradiction. Confsal called on the government to withdraw the proposal, emphasizing that stability and investment are essential for schools to address demographic challenges.
The demographic problem and teachers' proposals
Mario Rusconi, president of the National Association of Principals of Rome, highlights the demographic decline as a key factor: approximately 100 students are lost each year, with a projected deficit of over one million within ten years. He proposes using this decline to reduce class sizes and assign more teachers to remedial and support activities, both in-person and online, to address poor preparation and improve students' skills before they enter university.
Student protests and trade union mobilization
The Lazio High School Students' Network denounces in its statement that the draft 2027 Budget Law confirms the government's stance: defunding of public schools , ongoing staff cuts, and bonuses for private schools. The network highlights that, with more than 15.000 positions eliminated in just two years, public spending on education has been replaced by €200 million in private spending. The CGIL (Italian General Confederation of Labour) has announced a general strike scheduled for November 20, calling on workers, retirees, and young people to participate in opposition to these measures.