BUDGET SPEECH 2026-2027 – PENSION REFORM – MEANS TEST PROPOSAL FREEZING (11.41 a.m.)

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I want to make a statement on the pension reform. Madam Speaker, after my Budget Speech of last Friday, I have listened to the views and heard the views of the population to the proposed measures regarding pension reform. The population has clearly already realised the unsustainability of the Basic Retirement Pension, as we have known it. The measures taken last year have already positively impacted the economy, and we have already seen how it has helped public finances. I have, this morning, met a number of my Ministers, with the technicians on pension reform and those of the Ministry of Finance, to discuss the matter further. I have taken onboard the suggestions made. Anxious of the concerns of the people, whilst it will have consequences both on the budget deficit and on the public sector debt, we have decided to freeze the means testing proposed. Thank you.