Car tax suspended for one year, Meloni: 'I would like to reach the end of the legislature'

The Meloni government has approved a decree suspending for one year the mandatory ownership tax on a broad range of vehicles. The exemption will apply in 2027 to cars with power up to 80 kW and all motorcycles, for one vehicle per person: according to Corriere della Sera, the scope covers a single car tax bill, the one of lowest amount, for each individual. The measure is reported to affect 14.5 million vehicles and will be in force from 1 January to 31 December 2027.

The draft decree provides for a transfer of 2,293.5 million euros to the Regions and Autonomous Provinces for 2027, to compensate for the lost revenue. Alongside the measure comes an extension, smaller than in the past, of the discount on fuel excise duties: according to la Repubblica, the discount on diesel drops to 12.2 cents per liter from 18 to 25 September, before falling further to 6.1 cents until 5 October. Corriere della Sera places the measure in the context of annual inflation in August, which rose to 3.3%, from 2.9% in July.

“The scheme is the same as the Berlusconi government’s on housing” — Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council

The premier’s reference accompanies the presentation of the car tax measure, described as a temporary exemption rather than a structural abolition.

The same day saw Giorgia Meloni make a surprise appearance at a press conference at Palazzo Chigi, in a public appearance reported by a single source (Il Messaggero); no independent confirmations of the specific content of the remarks are available at this time. The premier stated her intention to complete the term, claiming the stability of the current government majority.

“I would like to reach the end of the legislature” — Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council

Meloni did not rule out an early return to the polls should the electoral law be rejected in the Chamber by secret ballot, thus linking the outcome of the institutional measure to the very survival of the executive. The text of the electoral reform, already approved by the Senate, is expected to undergo its third reading in the Chamber starting 28 September.

The decree on the car tax and excise duties must now follow the usual conversion process, while the debate on the electoral law shifts to the timing and numbers of the secret ballot in the Chamber.