Controversy in Italy over a tax on sandwiches

“People who eat on the streets cause costs to the community because the streets have to be cleaned of the oil from the sandwiches, an expensive operation. We see him at the Uffizi at least twice a day, ”Schmidt added to Qn magazine about the situation around the museum he runs.

Schmidt’s proposal immediately generated reactions for and against across the country.

From the ruling Democratic Party, the deputy Rosa Maria Di Giorgi considered that it is a “interesting idea”, as published today in the Florentine edition of the daily Repubblica.

“Florence must always be protected. With the help of these economic operators in front of whom customers are sitting on the sidewalks,” said Di Giorgi.

Of the League also in power, however, Federico Bussolin considered that “now talking about taxes is crazy”.

“Instead, let’s work to set up banks and enforce rules and common sense,” the leader of the right-wing bloc told the local parliament.

From the Confartigianato trade association, Paolo Gori assured that it is “an absurd idea, meaningless”.

“At this delicate time of energy recovery, that doesn’t make sense. New tax would condemn many businesses to shutdown“he added.

From another of the bosses of the trade, Confesercenti, as published by Repubblica today, Santino Cannamela admitted that “Schmidt puts an important question in the debate because, although we are against new taxes, a new law is needed on the business licensing system. “