Citizens’ Income in Italy: a Social Revolution or yet another Populist Measure?

In March 2019, the Italian government launched a new social program, known as citizens’ income, at the initiative of the Five Star Movement. Contrary to its name, it has little in common with the increasingly topical concept of unconditional basic income, which implies regular fixed cash payments to all residents, regardless of their financial situation. The current scheme in Italy is addressed only to the least well-off citizens and long-term residents whose monthly income is less than 780 euros. Cash payments are linked to a number of rather strict criteria — a long stay in Italy, registration in employment services and willingness to accept the proposed job, attendance of professional training courses, etc. Citizen’s income is heavily criticized by the business community, human rights organizations and the political elites of the northern part of Italy, who oppose the redistribution of income in favor of the lagging southern regions of the country. However, even in its current form, this program has become a serious step towards solving the problem of poverty, which in the face of ongoing economic stagnation is the most acute.