EU Allows Italy to Spend €14 Billion Over Three Years to Tackle Energy Price Hikes

(CNA, Rome, 3rd) The European Commission today accepted Italy's request for "expanded budgetary flexibility" to respond to the energy crisis. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated in a video address that this will allow Italy to spend €14 billion (approximately NT$511 billion) over the next three years to alleviate the impact of rising energy prices.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated today that rising energy prices affect vulnerable families, energy-intensive businesses, and the entire population. She personally wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in recent days to explain this issue and reiterated that at this stage, consideration should be given to expanding the fiscal deficit, not only for security and defense spending but also for reducing energy costs.

Meloni emphasized that the EU's acceptance of the Italian government's request is an extremely important achievement. "Many thought it was impossible, but we achieved the goal with determination and patience. This proves that Italy is capable of defending its own interests and proposing effective and reasonable solutions for all of Europe," she said.

According to the ANSA news agency, the EU will allow the Italian government to spend up to 0.3% of its GDP annually on energy measures in 2026, 2027, and 2028, with a cumulative cap of 0.6% of GDP over the three years.

However, the EU also issued several warnings regarding Italy's finances, such as the severity of Italy's "tax evasion and tax complexity issues." Socially, the EU warned that Italy's absolute poverty rate has reached a historic high in recent years, affecting 8.4% of families and 13.8% of children.

In her address today, Meloni also discussed the EU's recently passed new regulation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants. She emphasized, "This historic agreement is also the result of our efforts, allowing for faster and more effective repatriation of those who do not have the right to stay in the EU." This new regulation allows for the establishment of repatriation centers in third countries, following the model of the agreement signed between Italy and Albania.

Meloni stated that this innovative plan for immigrant repatriation was once obstructed by the left, but thanks to the government's efforts, it has now become a tool available to all of Europe. "Protect our borders, significantly reduce the number of entries, and immediately repatriate those who have no right to stay in Europe. Italy has set an example, and now Europe is following suit," she said. (Editor: Wei Shu) 1150604