Lega's 'No' stalls 100-euro energy voucher plan in Italy

Italy's government is grappling with how to address the escalating energy crisis, with discussions underway to reform aid measures. However, significant disagreements have emerged within the ruling coalition regarding the most effective strategy, particularly concerning the implementation of a proposed 100-euro energy voucher.

The Lega party has strongly opposed the voucher, which was initially conceived as a bonus to combat rising prices and targeted at the most vulnerable segments of the population. Lega ministers, including Giancarlo Giorgetti, have reportedly voiced firm opposition, preferring instead to maintain general excise duty cuts on fuel. This approach aims to provide relief to middle-class workers who rely on their vehicles for commuting.

While the voucher idea had some proponents within the government, including Adolfo Urso of the Brothers of Italy party, it has not gained sufficient traction. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is said to have applied the brakes, mindful of the internal coalition tensions. Consequently, no new measures related to the voucher have been presented to the Council of Ministers, and it was reportedly not on the meeting's agenda.

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti has urged caution in utilizing the new flexibility offered by Brussels, emphasizing the need for precise calibration of measures to support both families and businesses. He indicated that excise duty cuts on fuel would likely continue for several more weeks, funded by anticipated VAT revenue. Meanwhile, European Commission officials stated that the exact parameters for implementing new energy flexibility measures will be defined in the coming weeks through discussions with member states, stressing that the goal is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels rather than subsidize energy bills.