MILAN (Reuters) -Italy’s largest union CGIL said on Friday it would hold a general strike on December 12 to protest against budget plans presented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s conservative government.
The plans include charges worth more than 11 billion euros ($12.83 billion) on banks and insurance companies over 2026-2028 to help fund state finances.
However, CGIL said it opposed the financial package for cutting spending on public services and investments and increasing funds for defence.
“The aim of the strike is to support the renewal of expired labour contracts in order to defend and strengthen purchasing power,” CGIL added on its website.
Last month, when the budget was unveiled, Meloni called it a “serious, balanced and responsible” proposal, noting it included income tax cuts and more funds for the health sector.
On Friday, she again criticised the CGIL for protesting on a Friday, after saying in October that another general strike called for Gaza was just an excuse for a longer weekend break.
“Another general strike by the CGIL against the government (…) Guess on which day of the week December 12 will fall on?” she wrote on X.
The budget is due to be discussed and possibly modified by parliament in the coming weeks, before a final approval expected around the end of December.
($1 = 0.8575 euros)
(Reporting by Sara Rossi, editing by Alvise Armellini and Ros Russell)
