The gas price cap is a hit that has been going on since before the summer. Each time there seems to be some possibility of introducing it, but in the end the result is always the same: there is no agreement between the 27 Member States. As with the relocation of migrants and flexibility in public accounts, it is yet another demonstration that everyone in the EU does this for themselves.
Germany, the leading country in the European Union, refuses to show solidarity with others. The German-led front that opposes the “price cap” is made up of a dozen countries. The most intransigent are the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Luxembourg. Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes Rome doesn’t create problems. She just has to line up. Commenting on last Sunday’s vote, the chancellor underlines that “Italy is a very pro-European country, with very pro-European citizens”. So, he adds, “we assume that’s not going to change.” Guido Crosetto, one of the advisers most listened to by Giorgia Meloni, thought of answering him: “The German decision undermines the roots of the European Union”.
The reference is to the 200 billion euros plan against expensive accounts, adopted in full autonomy without having been agreed in any way with the European institutions. Crosetto says he “is grateful for Scholz’s invitation to respect the rules”, but also “the future Italian government will demand the same respect from all European countries, without children and stepchildren”.
Another demonstration of the fact that the government in Berlin is not looking at anyone is the agreement signed in recent weeks with France. Macron and Scholz committed to a reciprocal exchange: Paris will supply gas to the Germans, Berlin, in turn, will send electricity. It was renamed the “energy solidarity pact”.
That solidarity that would also be useful in front of the price cap. The Czech Minister of Industry and Commerce, Jozef Sikela, is forced to admit that at the moment “it is not the order of the day”. It could be discussed at the meeting of Heads of State and Government on 6 October with the presence of Mario Draghi. European Council President Charles Michel urges States not to look only to their own interests: “All families in Europe are affected by rising bills. This will have a lasting impact on all of us. That is why a new Energy Union must now be developed, with a real common strategy”.
But the resistances are strong. Austrian Energy Minister Leonore Gewessler says she is “aware that the various EU members have different views on the matter, but others should make it clear that Vienna depends on natural gas imports and Russian gas imports. I don’t see any certainty that the partners who supply us will continue to supply Europe with enough gas if we are not willing to pay the asking price’.
Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, however, is confident: “The Commission has recognized the pressure from the Member States, even more than the initial 15, and the President of the EU Council has just concluded by saying that there will be in will soon be a proposal”. Meanwhile, time passes and rates skyrocket. «In the EU, each one is for himself, comments Matteo Salvini – The bills have tripled. It’s September 30th, the new government will take office in about a month. We can’t wait any longer”.
Source: IL Tempo
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
