Tajani and Salvini far away on the banks. 'Yes to comparison'. '5 billion the minimum'

"As far as banks are concerned, I am in principle against taxing extra profits because extra profits do not exist, neither in law nor in economics. It is one thing to make a contribution, it can be discussed, I am also in favor of a confrontation with the banking system. I am not in favor of violent aggression, even verbal, towards banks because they are part of our economic system". Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Confindustria Young Entrepreneurs conference in Capri. "We must not scare the markets and investors," he added.

The other deputy prime minister, Matteo Salvini, is not on the same line. "The words of the president of the ABI Antonio Patuelli are surprising, even bringing up the Constitution and complaining that the bankers are economically 'beaten up'. The numbers, good for them, tell the exact opposite: 25.5 billion in profits in 2022, 40.6 in 2023, 46.5 in 2024 and 47.5 in 2025. And this year profits of more than 50 billion euros. In the meantime, between 2022 and 2025, banks closed 2,510 branches and laid off 12,900 employees. Without forgetting that in 2025 their effective tax rate was 19.2%, a tax rate well below that of other companies. Gigantic profits that derive mainly from the interests and commissions paid by citizens, families and businesses one of the richest and most protected sectors in Italy will be an intervention of absolute common sense", said the leader of the league and Minister of Transport Matteo Salvini commenting on the words of the president of the ABI.