Reduction of pensions for former MPs, appeal rejected: who are the former MPs?

The reduction in pensions for former parliamentarians, implemented following the 2018 Fico Resolution , has been confirmed. The entire system will remain unchanged, according to the decision of the Chamber of Deputies' Appeals Board .

The numerous appeals filed were completely rejected. A veritable popular uprising, one might say, with approximately 800 former MPs ready to fight (legal) to restore their benefits, eliminating the cut. An attempt that had already failed in the first instance.

Cut to pensions rejected

The Chamber of Deputies' Appeals Board has ruled: the pension cuts for former parliamentarians remain in place. The decision was made by the deputies:

• Vittoria Baldino;
• Ylenja Lucaselli;
• Ingrid Bisa;
• Peter Pittalis;
• Marco Lacarra.

These are the names of the members of the body, who confirmed the mitigation measures already introduced by the Bureau of the previous legislature. The matter concluded with a note from Montecitorio, which states (to paraphrase): the recalculation of pensions and the related mitigation measures remain unchanged .

Life annuities: who are the former parliamentarians who have appealed?

The appeal process against the pension cuts initially involved many more former parliamentarians, approximately 1,300. The legal process began immediately after the resolution came into force in 2019. However, the Chamber's "internal tribunal" had already ruled in 2022 that the rule should be "softened" for older members of parliament who had suffered severe cuts.

This has significantly reduced the number of those involved in the appeal, reaching approximately 800 former parliamentarians, who are now terribly disappointed by the outcome of the appeal. It's worth mentioning a few well-known names, to add some faces to the story. Among the many, we find:

• Claudio Scajola;
• Fabrizio Cicchitto;
• Rosa Russo Iervolino;
• Claudio Martelli;
• Paul Guzzanti;
• Ilona Staller;
• Antonio Bassolino;
• Italo Bocchino;
• Mario Landolfi;
• Gianni Alemanno (currently detained);
• Giovanna Melandri;
• Angelino Alfano.

However, the process isn't over yet. While a reversal of the previous decisions seems unlikely, the large group of disillusioned voters has the chance to appeal to the President's Office, led by Lorenzo Fontana.

Cut to pensions: how it works

Let's start by saying that today life annuities no longer exist but, at the same time, those who held the office of parliamentarian for at least 5 years, before 2012, continue to receive them. That said, while Giuseppe Conte cries scandal, reiterating that "they want to get their hands on the loot again", it is good to clarify the matter in its entirety , point by point:

• 2011 – Monti's government intervenes on pensions and aligns the pensions of parliamentarians with those of public sector employees (payment based on contributions paid);
• 2012 – Monti recalculation for deputies and senators elected after January 1, 2012. Mixed system for those already in office, with a lifetime portion accrued as of December 31, 2011 and a second portion referring to subsequent years of office (calculated on a salary basis);
• 2018 – Resolution by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Roberto Fico, establishing that the pension be recalculated according to a coefficient that takes into account the amount of contributions paid, as well as the number of years in which the pension had been enjoyed;
• 2021 – The appeal of the most senior former parliamentarians, who had received a pay cut of up to 90%, was upheld. The previous salary was restored;
• 2022 – The Senate will bail out former residents of Palazzo Madama, regardless of their age. This is the legal basis used by the approximately 800 former parliamentarians, who are demanding similar treatment, claiming it to be a disadvantage.