Left Pushes Wealth Tax in Milan as Progressive Camp Splits

Overview

• A 'Tax the Rich' gathering in Milan on Saturday brought together Sinistra Italiana, the European Left Alliance and international left figures to press for a patrimoniale targeting the largest fortunes.
• Oxfam representatives at the event outlined a technical proposal that would affect about 0.5% of taxpayers and could raise an estimated €13–16 billion if implemented.
• PD leader Elly Schlein said the wealth tax is not part of the alliance’s agreed programme and only open for discussion, exposing a clear split between moderate centre-left figures and the more radical left.
• Right-wing ministers and centrist critics rejected the idea outright, with Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini saying the government will not introduce a patrimoniale and opponents warning of capital flight and residency shifts.
• While the political debate continues, the government approved the consolidated income-tax text (Tuir) as part of its fiscal-reform package which keeps formal tax policy on a separate, institutional track and raises questions about enforcement, EU coordination and electoral consequences.