Marina Calderone defends repeal of Italian citizenship income

Italian Minister of Labour and Social Policies Marina Calderone defended the decision to repeal the citizenship income (reddito di cittadinanza) during a television appearance. She stated that the measure caused 1.7 billion euros in damages to the INPS (National Social Security Institute) due to improper payments, noting that controls were only conducted after the fact.

Calderone explained that the repeal was not based on ideology but on the need to ensure subsidies do not compete with employment. She emphasized that with Italy currently experiencing record employment levels and unemployment rates below the European average, the focus should be on reintegrating people into the workforce rather than providing long-term subsidies.