PANews reported on December 28 that the Italian Parliament finally approved the 2025 budget a few days before the end of the year, an important victory for Prime Minister Meroni. Meroni and his Finance Minister Giorgetti jointly developed a tax cut plan aimed at winning voter support while complying with EU fiscal rules. The government plans to reduce the national deficit to 3.3% of GDP next year and below the EU's 3% cap in 2026. Among the last-minute adjustments to the budget was the decision to maintain the cryptocurrency tax rate at 26% in 2025 and increase it to 33% in 2026, instead of the originally proposed 42%. The Italian prime minister promised to cut taxes for middle- and low-income groups, which will help consolidate his ruling position, but it also means that the pace of returning to fiscal stability will be slower by EU standards.