Italy wants to finance energy aid package with producer profits

ROME (dpa-AFX) – Because of the increased energy costs caused by the war, Italy wants to provide further aid for families and companies and is starting with the energy companies. “Unlike the previous measures, the interventions are not financed by the public budget today, but by the companies in the energy sector,” said Prime Minister Mario Draghi late on Friday evening in Rome. In return, according to him, the government wants to tax part of the extraordinary profits that producers made thanks to the increased cost of raw materials.

According to Finance Minister Daniele Franco, taxation is 10 percent. That money will then be redistributed to families and businesses that are struggling, Draghi said.

Part of the measures decree is also a reduction in the price of petrol and diesel at the pump by 25 cents per liter by the end of April. In addition, the number of families who are protected from rising electricity and gas costs increases from 4 to 5.2 million. These households paid the same prices as in the summer of last year./jon/DP/stw