Cnel, Brunetta increases his salary. Irritated Meloni: 'Inappropriate decision'. And he backtracks
The march back in the evening by Cnel president Renato Brunetta puts an end to a day of controversy after Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni herself had leaked her irritation at the news of the salary increase decided by Brunetta
Key points
"As president of the Cnel, an organ of constitutional importance called upon to give voice and represent the social partners, I do not want in any way that from the legitimate application of a just sentence of the Constitutional Court, instrumentalisations capable of damaging the credibility of the institution that I preside over and, as a consequence, negatively conditioning the political debate and the Government's action, should derive. For these reasons, I will revoke with immediate effect the decision taken in the Bureau concerning the transposition'.
Premier's irritation
The backward march that arrived in the evening from the president of the Cnel Renato Brunetta puts an end to a day of controversy after the prime minister herself, Giorgia Meloni, had leaked her irritation at the news of the salary increase decided by Brunetta using the Constitutional Court ruling to abolish the 240,000 euro annual ceiling for public managers. A decision considered 'unacceptable and 'inappropriate'.
Nisini: Cnel salary increase in autonomy to be reviewed
In the majority, the League was explicitly against it. 'The independent salary increases at the Cnel, starting with president Renato Brunetta, are to be reconsidered. We will present a question and a regulation in the financial bill that goes in the opposite direction,' announced deputy Tiziana Nisini. The CNEL, for its part, claimed in a note the 'absolute regularity and legitimacy' of its conduct.
Cnel: compensation? Mere fulfilment of constitutional ruling
The Cnel, for its part, had claimed in a note the "absolute regularity and legitimacy" of its conduct. "The Cnel," it said, "has not made any 'adjustment', but has limited itself to dutifully applying the Constitutional Court's ruling no. 135 of 9 July 2025, which reinstated the salary ceiling of €311,658.53 as of 1 August.
Opposition to attack
The affair, first reported by 'Tomorrow', gave the opposition the opportunity to go on the attack. The opposition, however, had gone on the attack. "No minimum wage, but the salaries of the Cnel and Brunetta's top management have increased," said M5s leader Giuseppe Conte. "The middle class pays the taxes, the Cnel spends them with Brunetta," was Matteo Renzi's tirade.
