An electricity transmission tower and power lines near a residential area in Brescia, Italy, on Sunday, July 3, 2022. Italy's government plans further measures to cushion the impact of high energy prices, including extending a fuel tax holiday to the beginning of October, Il Messaggero newspaper reported. Reuters reported the Italian plan earlier Tuesday.
Italy has spent about €75 billion so far to protect its citizens and businesses from the energy crisis and has budgeted another €21 billion in its new budget to continue offering tax breaks, discounts on gas at the pump and other aid.
Meloni’s doubling of the tax is meant to show voters she means business in not giving big companies breaks when citizens are having trouble paying their energy bills.