The Council of Ministers has approved yet another extension (the fifteenth) to the excise duty cut: “But it’s not enough,” admits the Prime Minister. Legislation to speed up hydrocarbon extraction in Italy. Confindustria’s concerns over the lengthy delays (and the prospect of an early general election).

With the deadline approaching, the government is leaning towards a new across-the-board cut in excise duties whilst awaiting the finalisation of targeted measures: there is no political agreement yet on who will benefit or how the costs will be covered. Over the last six months, blanket subsidies for diesel and petrol have cost 2 billion and 74.5 million euros

Changes to the electoral law have been left to the final round of negotiations before the plenary session. Meanwhile, Salvini and Tajani continue to bicker over the tax on banks’ windfall profits. And there is still no agreement on excise duties either.

The government is extending the 17-cent discount on petrol for a further ten days, thanks to 130 million advanced by the energy companies (ask Descalzi). There is optimism within the government regarding the Istat estimates: and Salvini is already calling for an ultra-expansionary budget

The Council of Ministers has extended the measures already in place to tackle high fuel prices – relating solely to diesel – to allow the government to work on a more targeted intervention at the start of next month

The Council of Ministers has approved an extension to the excise duty cut, but the PD secretary insists: target windfall profits. The energy spokesperson for the employers’ organisation says: “We are opposed to this. It smacks of a policy devoid of ideas.”

Taxing refiners’ profits is a mistake; a cap, as with gas, is preferable. Points to consider

The discount on diesel has been extended until 25 August: 245 million has been taken from the ministries’ budgets, following the nearly 2 billion already spent since March. But a flat-rate discount for everyone rewards those who consume the most

The Council of Ministers has approved a fuel discount – 17 cents off diesel – but a decree mandates the closure of the blast furnace. The row between FdI and Forza Italia over wiretaps and party preferences continues. The confessions of the FI leader

The government has approved a 17-cents tax cut, but only on diesel. The issue of resources