The government is once again grappling with fuel prices. As reported by Corriere della Sera, the July 28 intervention, which cut excise duty on diesel by 17 euro cents, has yielded disappointing results , failing to bring tariffs below the 2 euro per liter threshold.
The Ministry of Economy and Finance is currently calculating the resources needed to extend the excise duty cuts. A week ago, €125 million arrived from antitrust fines and the fund for economic policy interventions. This time, the Milanese newspaper continues, the funds will be used to reduce excise duties, starting with the proceeds from increased VAT revenues resulting from the increase in fuel prices in July. The mechanism is called mobile excise duties , but those in Via XX Settembre and Palazzo Chigi already know it won't be enough, especially if the goal is to extend the excise duty cuts to gasoline .
So much so that among the options for raising funds , a tax on alcohol is being considered, just as the idea of increasing the tobacco tax had floated in recent days within the majority . Within the government, Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has suggested taking the money "from those who are making unprecedented profits, from banks and energy companies." This option has been shelved for now, but it could return to the forefront this fall, during the budget bill.
(Unioneonline)
