The Council of Ministers has approved the extension, until August 25, of the current excise duty cut on diesel fuel of 17 cents per liter, including VAT . The measure, not on the agenda of the cabinet meeting, was included following a meeting between Prime Minister Meloni, Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, and Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, held before the start of the Council of Ministers.

The measure currently in force was launched on July 28 and expired on August 6.

"Cutting excise duties on petrol and diesel is essential," Deputy Prime Minister and League leader Matteo Salvini declared in the early afternoon in a video posted on X. "The resources shouldn't be asked of smokers or young people drinking cocktails this summer, but of the major Italian banks that are making tens of billions of euros in profits."

Meanwhile, the opposition is attacking the government. "But where is Giorgia Meloni? Where is she when fuel prices are above €2, excise duties haven't been abolished, money is going to weapons, and Italians are succumbing to the high cost of living?" This was Vittoria Baldino of the Five Star Movement at a press briefing outside Montecitorio.

(Unioneonline)

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