The 17 cent per liter cut in diesel excise duty has been extended until September 5th , with prices at the pump this morning on the island , as reported by the MIMIT Observatory, standing at €2.146/liter for diesel, compared to €2.148 yesterday. Self-service gasoline is now at €2.028/liter, compared to €2.029 yesterday.

Prices at the pump are essentially unchanged, with the government's measure thus failing to generate the expected benefits for Italians.

In the coming days , the government will evaluate new "income-selective" fuel price support measures. This proposal has raised eyebrows at Codacons, which believes it risks "transforming an emergency affecting all motorists into a social welfare measure , without having any impact on pump prices." "Fuel prices are not a problem that affects only low-income families and cannot be addressed through ISEE ," Codacons continues. "Gasoline and diesel cost the same for everyone, and price increases affect millions of citizens, workers, and families alike."

Meanwhile, the resources to cover the excise tax discount, €130 million, will come from a new mechanism, envisaged in the same decree, for the advance payment of taxes on dividends paid by large energy groups. This "unprecedented measure was defined in agreement with the groups involved," government sources explain. And, according to leaks, it will likely specifically affect Eni. The advance payment, which is expected to be set at 39%, according to a draft of the measure, would then allow the company to accrue an equivalent tax credit.

REACTIONS – For Giuseppe Conte, the excise tax cut is just "yet another imperceptible 'discount,' already eaten up by fuel prices." The Five Star Movement leader attacks that, "as if by magic, courage returns in government only when it comes to funding for weapons." "It's time to tax extra profits. Meloni should have the courage to make those who have enriched themselves even during this crisis pay more," is the attack from Democratic Party secretary Elly Schlein, who claims that on this issue "the government is arguing and Italians are paying the price." "An unworthy spectacle, representatives of Forza Italia and the League are insulting each other," stings Five Star Movement member Luca Pirondini. Indeed, long-distance exchanges are tense.