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Here’s how much Italy’s top politicians earned last year

Who is the richest member of the Italian cabinet? And which politician earned five times less than they did last year? Now we know.

Published: 6 March 2017 10:25 CET
Here's how much Italy's top politicians earned last year
The newly appointed Italian government ministers pictured in December. Photo: Andreas Solaro/AFP

Italian politicians have published their tax returns for the 2015/2016 tax year, revealing exactly how much they earned.

The figures are available on the official website of the Italian parliament, so you can check out the earnings of the country's MPs and senators in full, but here's a quick rundown of who earned what – and there are a few surprises.

Premier Gentiloni earned €109,607 in the last tax year, taking home slightly more than his predecessor Matteo Renzi, who declared earnings of €103,283. Renzi himself saw a €5,000 dip in earnings compared to the previous year.

But that figure made Gentiloni only the fifth highest earner in government – so who brought in the most money last year?

Valeria Fedeli, Minister for Education, takes that title, having earned a total of €180,291.

The next highest earner was Culture Minister Dario Franceschini, who declared taxable income of €148,692.

And in third place was Anna Finocchiaro, the minister of relations with parliament, with a taxable income of €144,853.

READ ALSO: Meet the key figures in Gentiloni's government

At the other end of the scale, Maurizio Martina emerged as the lowest earner in government. The agricultural minister declared taxable income of only €46,750.

And in penultimate place was Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan, who declared €49,958.

After Gentiloni, the next highest earners in government were Transport Minister Graziano Delrio (€104,473), Labour Minister Giuliano Poletti (€104,432), Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano (€102,300), and Economic Development Minister Carlo Calenda (€102,058).

Declaring earnings of below €100,000 were Public Administration Minister Marianna Madia and Justice Minister (€98,816), Sports Minister Luca Lotti (€98,471), Regional Cohesion Minister Claudio de Vincenti (€97,728), and Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti (€97,631).

They were followed by Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin (€97,576), Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti (€96.663), Secretary of the Council of Ministers (€96,571), and Interior Minister Marco Minniti (€92,237).

As for the PD's rival parties, Five Star Movement leader Beppe Grillo earned €71,957, a significant decrease on the €355,247 he declared the year before. One of the main reasons for the massive drop is that in 2015 the anti-establishment leader sold a property.

NOW READ: Italian MPs earn €122 for each hour spent in parliament

Italian MPs earn €122 for each hour spent in parliament

Photo: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

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POLITICS

Italian minister indicted for Covid-era fraud

Prosecutors on Friday charged Italy's tourism minister with fraud relating to government redundancy funds claimed by her publishing companies during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 4 May 2024 09:19 CEST
Italian minister indicted for Covid-era fraud

Opposition lawmakers immediately requested the resignation of Daniela Santanche, a leading member of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s far-right Brothers of Italy party.

Santanche, 63, has strongly rejected the allegations, including in a defiant appearance in parliament last year.

“The Milan prosecutor’s office today requested the indictment of the Minister Santanche and other persons as well as the companies Visibilia Editore and Visibilia Concessionaria,” the office said in a brief statement.

They were indicted “for alleged fraud of the INPS (National Institute for Social Security) in relation to alleged irregularities in the use of the Covid 19 redundancy fund, for a total of 13 employees”.

According to media reports, Visibilia is accused of obtaining state funds intended to help companies struggling with the pandemic to temporarily lay off staff — when in fact the 13 employees continued to work.

Santanche sold her stake in Visibilia when she joined the government of Meloni, who took office in October 2022.

The investigation has been going on for months, but with the decision by prosecutors to indict, opposition parties said Santanche should resign.

“We expect the prime minister to have a minimum of respect for the institutions and ask for Daniela Santanche’s resignation,” said Elly Schlein, leader of the centre-left Democratic Party.

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