After Eni's move, a limit on fuel prices also comes for IP distributors. The Azerbaijani state company Socar, which controls Italiana Petroli, has decided - adhering to "the appeal of the Italian government" - to introduce a maximum value of sales prices.
An "important signal", applauds Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who thanks the Azerbaijani president and reassures him of his commitment to continue helping families. But with average prices continuing to rise and diesel on the motorway getting closer and closer to 2.5 euros, the discontent of those forced to use the car for work is rising: after the hauliers, the protest spreads to taxi drivers, who ask to be summoned, otherwise - they warn - there will be a strike.
48 hours after Eni's announcement, which will introduce the price cap at Enilive distributors from tomorrow 28 September (for 30 days, extendable until the end of the year) (2.19 euros per liter for diesel and 1.99 for petrol), the first effect has arrived. "Socar announces the decision to regulate the prices of fuels marketed on the Italian market" by IP, explains the Azerbaijani multinational in a note, underlining the "closeness" to Italy and the commitment towards families and businesses on the day in which it also formalizes a strategic partnership with the FIGC.
The price limit will come into effect from tomorrow, will be established based on different needs and will be applied "progressively", starting from the IP brand. The methods for extending the mechanism to Esso stations and "to other operators in the supply chain who supply from IP" will then be evaluated. The decision not to impose a price cap, explains Socar, is to "ensure the survival of the supply chain, made up of thousands of operators". The announcement was welcomed by the executive, who hoped that other companies would follow in the wake of Eni's move.
"It is an important signal of attention to Italian families which confirms that it is possible to concretely contribute to containing the cost of fuel", comments the Prime Minister. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani underlines the work done with Baku and with the president of Socar Rovashan Najaf: "Just at the beginning of September" I asked him "to go in this direction", explains the deputy prime minister, who rushes to claim Fi's political success: "No imposition from above, we were right".
"Excellent news, also the result of the strategic partnership between Italy and Azerbaijan, which our government has been able to successfully cultivate", Urso also underlines. Meanwhile, the prime minister, after criticism from the opposition - who claim that Eni is doing what the government has failed to do - reassures: "We will continue to work to support families and protect their purchasing power".
And it is not excluded that the majority leaders could meet this week, perhaps already tomorrow, to take stock of the high fuel emergency, but also on the other open issues, from the clause to use flexibility on energy and defense to the budget, with the Public Finance Policy Document (DPFP) expected in the Chambers by the end of the week. Also on the table are the 'targeted' measures promised by the government in recent weeks. Some "have been launched", such as the tax credit for hauliers, but others "are being defined by the Mef to support workers and families with lower incomes", explains Urso.
However, the reassurances are not enough for those who cannot help but be on the road, such as hauliers, taxi drivers and sales agents. For taxi drivers, the high cost of fuel has been added to a series of other critical issues affecting the category and the situation is now "unsustainable", denounce Unica Taxi Filt Cgil and Uiltrasporti, who have already asked the government for a meeting: but without an answer - they promise - a stoppage of service will be "inevitable".
