ROME, March 19 (Reuters) - Italy has set aside some 417.4 million euros ($478 million) to cut excise duties on fuels until April 7, a decree approved by the cabinet late on Wednesday showed, as Rome
Italy Sets Aside €417 Million to Reduce Fuel Excise Duties Through April 7
Government Measures to Address High Energy Costs
Overview of the Decree
ROME, March 19 (Reuters) - Italy has set aside some 417.4 million euros ($478 million) to cut excise duties on fuels until April 7, a decree approved by the cabinet late on Wednesday showed, as Rome struggles to find ways to help families and firms cope with high energy costs.
Details of Excise Duty Reductions
Published in the Official Gazette, the decree cut excise duties on gasoline and diesel to 472.90 euros per 1,000 litres from 672.9.
Funding the Tax Cut
The government plans to cover the cost of the excise duty reduction through spending cuts, the decree added.
Political Reactions and Criticism
Opposition and Analyst Responses
Analysts and opposition politicians criticised Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying the move was driven by the need to drum up support ahead of a key referendum next week on a highly divisive government plan to reform the judiciary.
Expert Commentary
"A political stunt paid by taxpayers. Nothing else," Wolfango Piccoli, of the London-based political risk consultancy Teneo, wrote on X.
Additional Information
Currency Exchange Rate
($1 = 0.8734 euros)
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Giuseppe FonteEditing by Alexandra Hudson)
