Giorgia Meloni does not intend to sign the decree that would unlock pay rises for members of the judiciary. Sources at Palazzo Chigi confirm as much, noting that the overall cost of the adjustments would be close to one billion euros.
The prime minister considers the sum too high compared with other pressing needs. The comparison being drawn is with the road haulage sector, for which the government is seeking resources amounting to roughly a tenth of that figure, in order to avoid a halt in goods deliveries.
The pay rises stem from rulings by the Council of State (Consiglio di Stato) concerning the method used to calculate salary adjustments. Estimates put the increase at around €100,000 per magistrate, including back pay, and around €20,000 more per year in subsequent years.
The government’s draft budgetary plan sets aside, for 2027, a one-off fund worth €1.9 billion to cover court rulings, largely earmarked — according to Il Sole 24 Ore — for the judges’ pay adjustments.
Meloni has said she is willing to listen to representative associations in search of a solution. As for the possible appointment of a commissioner by the Council of State, the premier is leaving that decision to the administrative judges, reminding all parties of their respective responsibilities.
