Italy in Talks With Banks and Energy Groups Over Contribution to 2027 Budget
Deputy Economy Minister Maurizio Leo said on October 8 that Italy's government is talking with banks and energy groups over their potential contribution to state finances, as it finalises the 2027 budget to be presented next week. Leo, of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's Brothers of Italy party, said the government favours dialogue and does not want to clash with the companies involved.
Meloni is seeking ways to fund tax cuts for middle-income earners in her last budget before national elections due next year. The co-ruling League party says banks should contribute up to 3 billion euros, on top of some 12 billion euros the government already aims to raise from lenders and insurers through 2028 under measures in this year's budget.
Leading energy groups including state-controlled Eni last week announced price caps to help curb fuel prices, widely seen as an attempt to deter a windfall tax. Finance ministers from Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Austria are meanwhile pushing for an EU-wide windfall tax on energy companies.
The talks unfold as surging energy prices drive up inflation and borrowing costs, while Italy's public debt is expected to overtake Greece's this year as the highest in the euro zone.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：Palazzo mezzanotte Milan Stock Exchange.jpg，作者：Goldmund100 at it.wikipedia，授权：Public domain，来源：Wikimedia Commons
