Italy will introduce a tax on fizzy drinks to help fund university research, the ruling parties agreed, as the government puts together its big-spending 2019 budget.
Carla Ruocco, a lawmaker from the 5-Star Movement, announced late on Thursday that the so-called 'sugar tax' would be presented as an amendment to the budget, which must be approved by parliament by the end of the year.
Draft Budget
A draft budget has been rejected by the European Commission because it aims to raise the deficit instead of reduce it.
The European Union executive has told Rome to present a new fiscal plan, but the government is carrying on regardless.
Ruocco, the president of the lower house finance committee, did not give details on the tax, 'aimed at drinks with high sugar content', but said the revenue would be used to cut taxes for the self-employed, and increase funding for universities.
News by Reuters, edited by ESM. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
