Mario Turco with Giuseppe Conte
Weapons exempt from VAT, Mario Turco (M5s): “Question to Mef and Defense to find out which activities will be the subject of the subsidy and to know the impact of the measure on public finance”
After the battle to postpone the increase in military spending up to 2 per cent of GDP over the next few years, yesterday Il Five Stars movement he also abstained in the Senate Finance Committee on the legislative decree that transposes a European directive for the stop to VAT and excise duties on the sale of armaments.
An abstention, however, and not a vote against. In fact, the move has been branded a mere electoral strategy in many parts of the building. Mario Turco, vice president of the M5s, as well as a member of the Sixth Commission, rejects any allegation to the sender. The senator, interviewed by Affaritaliani.it, not only explains the reasons for the abstention, but also anticipates future moves: “Next week we will file a question”. AND on the Petrocelli case? “We rely on his common sense, aware that his personal decision on the issue has not influenced the decisions of the Commission as he has always abstained in the discussions”. As for the node expulsion yes-expulsion no, Turco limits himself to saying: “The decision will be taken by the bodies in charge. I think – he adds – that in the coming weeks the M5s will make its own decision “.
In short, the chapter on arms sales is not closed. Who will your question be addressed to?
Next week, as mentioned, we will submit a question to the Finance Committee to obtain clarifications on those insights we had asked for and on which it was not possible to receive an answer. We will question Mef and Defense to find out which activities will be the subject of this concession. It is an important issue of administrative transparency. But then we want to understand the impact of the measure on public finance. Basically what are the forecasts on the effects of the loss of revenue and any hedges.
If the issue was so decisive for you, then why abstention and not the contrary vote?
The explanation is twofold: on the one hand there is the political direction to support the commitments undertaken in Europe, which we, in fact, do not disavow. This, I would like to clarify, is out of the question. Even if, then, it is also true that the current context in which the directive is adopted should be assessed. We must ask ourselves, in fact, if this directive still has a validity today or if the new scenario (with the push to create a common defense) could not imply a revision of it.
On the other side?
There is a lack of clarification from the government, which however we expect to arrive.
Was it the timing and, therefore, the concomitance with the conflict in Ukraine, that set you up against both the increase in military spending and the stop at VAT for the sale of armaments?
Our battle is linked above all to the order of priorities and to the lack of definition of a plan that can make objectives and contents understood both on the increase in military spending and on the implementation of this European directive. For us right now, taking care of families and businesses comes first. This is the real urgency today. Also because there is no connection between the two measures and the ongoing conflict. There is an arms race in the other political forces to which we have opposed a firm no, managing to avoid reaching the spending commitment of 2% of GDP by 2024.
Let’s move on to the Petrocelli case. Should he resign from the presidency of the Foreign Affairs commission?
President Vito Petrocelli has made personal assessments and choices that are not in tune with the political line of the M5s. Having taken note of this, we will defer to your common sense. We recognize, however, that he has always abstained in the decisions of the commission he chairs. Therefore, he did not influence the related decisions.
The other knot to be resolved concerns the possible permanence of Petrocelli in the Movement. Will he be expelled or not?
We have reconstructed all the deliberative bodies of the Five Star Movement. The decision will then be taken by the bodies in charge.
When?
I think the M5s will make a decision in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mario Draghi was audited at Copasir yesterday. From what has transpired he would have made an appeal for transparency in relations with certain countries. A pull of ears also for the Movement?
We of transparency have always made a flag. It is a prerogative and a compass for all our behaviors and decisions. Draghi’s words, therefore, certainly were not addressed to the M5s, but perhaps to other political forces.
Finally, let’s talk about relations with the Democratic Party. Tell the truth, from February 24 onwards, the axis with the Movement has cracked a lot.
I’m just saying that we claim the utmost respect from everyone and especially from our allies. If respect for our positions and our identity were to be lacking, the ABC of any normal coexistence would be lost.
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