Taxes on banks, Patuelli: "Pacta sunt servanda? I wonder where Justinian is depicted in Italy"

Antonio Patuelli, president of ABI, questioned the relevance of the Latin maxim "pacta sunt servanda" in light of the government's request for an additional €5 billion from banks, despite a previous three-year agreement. He referenced Emperor Justinian, known for codifying legal principles, and asked where he is depicted in Italy. Carlo Messina, CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo, noted that banks had reached a prior agreement with the government. Following an ABI executive committee meeting, no further comments were made by the bankers on the issue.