Italy’s state-controlled energy company, Eni, has implemented a 30-day cap on fuel prices at its stations, setting maximum prices at €2.19 per litre for diesel and €1.99 for unleaded petrol. This initiative, effective from Monday, aims to alleviate the financial burden on households and businesses as fuel prices remain high due to geopolitical tensions, particularly related to the Iran conflict. The capped prices are approximately 17 cents per litre lower than average levels previously recorded.
In response to the high fuel costs, truck drivers in Sicily have announced a five-day strike from October 16 to 20, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of response to their demands. This move reflects growing unrest among transport sector workers over fuel prices.
Additionally, taxi drivers have voiced their concerns about the rising fuel expenses and have warned of potential industrial action if the government does not engage in discussions with them. This indicates a broader discontent within the transportation industry over the current economic conditions.
In a related development, Azerbaijan’s state-owned energy company, SOCAR, plans to implement similar fuel price limits at its IP petrol stations across Italy. This aligns with broader efforts to mitigate the impact of surging fuel costs on consumers.
Concurrently, the Italian government has introduced measures to curb fuel expenses by reducing diesel duties. However, this tax reduction is set to expire in early October, raising concerns about the sustainability of these relief efforts amid ongoing economic pressures.