Drivers in Italy look set to get a little more time with cheaper diesel. An Italian official said the government will extend the tax cut on diesel to Sept. 10, keeping the 17-cent per liter discount in place. It is the latest step in a package first launched in March to curb the jump in energy costs tied to the war in Iran. The move is pitched as consumer protection at a moment when prices have been tough to swallow.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is under mounting political strain as the country is slated to hold a general election before next year closes. Fault lines are showing within her right-wing coalition, including disagreements over how to finance additional support. The pool of money is getting thin for both household relief and industry aid. Meanwhile, government debt remains over 130% of GDP and growth is expected to come in around 0.6% this year, making every euro of support harder to find.
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If you are filling up in Italy, this likely keeps pump prices a bit lower for a few more weeks. The bigger story is a government juggling high debt, slow growth at about 0.6% this year, and limited room to keep subsidies flowing. That mix can ripple into everyday prices and policy choices as the election calendar gets closer.
