Italy's centre-right opposition led by Mr Silvio Berlusconi published its manifesto, six days before a general election, promising tax cuts, more jobs and stronger economic growth.
In an 85-page document, it pledged to lighten Italy's tax burden by 70 trillion lire (£28bn) and create 1.5 million jobs over five years. "Our recipe is lower taxes on business and work, less rigidity in the workplace...quicker economic growth and more jobs," the manifesto read.Taxes on inheritance and donations will be cut while income tax below on earnings below 200 million lire (£8,000) will fall to 23 percent with the rate above 200 million lire to a standard 33 percent.Italian tax brackets vary widely, but income taxes currently range between 30 and 45 percent.The manifesto also promised to simplify the tax structure, reducing the different types of tax to eight from around 100.Mr Berlusconi's centre-left rivals, led by former Rome mayor Mr Francesco Rutelli, published its election pledges in April and promised broadly similar goals, including tax cuts, tougher law and order and institutional reform.Elsewhere in the manifesto, the centre right said it would aim for economic growth of four percent, spurred by tax reductions and job creation.The document did not make any specific pledges to deal with conflicts of interests, an issue which has dogged Mr Berlusconi in recent weeks. He has widespread business interests, including television, publishing and financial services.He has said he would introduce a conflict of interest draft law in the first 100 days of parliament if elected.Further proposals included more rapid privatisation of state assets including electricity generator Enel and energy group ENI.The bloc of centre-right parties whose campaign is lead by Mr Burlosconi also pledged to tackle pension reform, an issue which threatens to weigh heavily in the coming years as Italy's population ages and the birth-rate falls.