Meloni turns to Visegrad allies as EU energy tax talks stall

In Brussels, Italy's premier Giorgia Meloni expressed frustration over the lack of progress on the EU emissions trading system, arguing that medium-term proposals ignore Italy's urgent energy crisis. She highlighted the combined opposition of Sweden, Denmark and Finland, as well as the German government's reluctance to make concessions, which together block any meaningful deal. Turning to traditional Visegrad partners and smaller Mediterranean conservatives such as Greece, Meloni demanded a temporary ETS exemption and a delay of ETS2 until 2030, referencing the Iberian experience.

The Italian team also called on the European Commission to study a mechanism that prevents the pollution tax from burdening consumers. Despite backing from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Council remained unmoved, leaving Italy's economic plan vulnerable ahead of elections.