Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, earned about 10 million Euros more than the year before. According to his 2009 personal tax declaration (relating to the 2008 tax year) he earned €23,570,981 in taxable income, compared with a mere €14,532,000 the year before.

The premier also declared several increases in personal assets during the tax year: the purchase of a property in Lesa, Piemonte on 28/9/2008, the construction of a property in Antigua and the acquisition of a piece of land, also in Antigua, on 23/3/2008. No changes in cars or boats though. According to asset and income declarations relating to the 2008 tax year, Renato Schifani, President of the Italian Senate, earned just over €190,000 in 2008 (compared with €159,809 the year before) whilst his wife earned €153,000.

Gianfranco Fini, President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, declared taxable income of €142,243 (previous year €105,633). But the Italian government's pauper is the Minister of Economy and Finance. Compared with a whopping €4,500,000 of taxable income the year before, Giulio Tremonti declared a total income of only €176,897. And after deductions of €137,225, he was left with a paltry €39,672 of taxable income for 2008.