{"id":2150008,"date":"2026-09-17T12:35:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T09:35:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2150008"},"modified":"2026-09-17T12:35:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T09:35:12","slug":"european-leaders-rush-to-counter-looming-diesel-price-surge-as-saudi-pipeline-attacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2150008","title":{"rendered":"European leaders rush to counter looming diesel price surge as Saudi pipeline attacked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/67\/86\/1200x675_cmsv2_d4f7983c-fa4d-5db3-871a-92f3800496f7-9916786.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926557-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926557\" data-cid=\"9918040\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926557-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_d9d51404-3977-5f18-ad98-d9615f1b67c4-9917716.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dimitris Avramopoulos (file photo)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos immunity\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926598-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926598\" data-cid=\"9918014\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926598-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_015db515-1992-5c0b-a278-ae36bad0cde9-9917904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Donald Tusk in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland on 17 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tusk: intelligence sees Russian plan for drone strikes on Poland, allies\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926569-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926569\" data-cid=\"9917778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926569-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/78\/189x106_cmsv2_a89ef78c-9ef7-5b7f-91cb-f74b5f2b1dd8-9917778.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles walks with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Sir Demis Hassabis. 17 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    King Charles says AI must be kept under human control\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926602-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926602\" data-cid=\"9917925\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926602-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_788f3713-ca7c-5a7f-bad1-71e7d34c8991-9917910.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"In this 1 Aug. 2017 file photo, people queue to enter the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cloudburst in Florence: rain pours into the Uffizi and historic Palazzo Pitti\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926557-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926557\" data-cid=\"9918040\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926557-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/16\/189x106_cmsv2_d9d51404-3977-5f18-ad98-d9615f1b67c4-9917716.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Dimitris Avramopoulos (file photo)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos immunity\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926598-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926598\" data-cid=\"9918014\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926598-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_015db515-1992-5c0b-a278-ae36bad0cde9-9917904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Donald Tusk in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland on 17 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tusk: intelligence sees Russian plan for drone strikes on Poland, allies\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926569-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926569\" data-cid=\"9917778\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926569-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/78\/189x106_cmsv2_a89ef78c-9ef7-5b7f-91cb-f74b5f2b1dd8-9917778.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"King Charles walks with Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang and Sir Demis Hassabis. 17 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Tech News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    King Charles says AI must be kept under human control\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926602-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926602\" data-cid=\"9917925\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926602-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/10\/189x106_cmsv2_788f3713-ca7c-5a7f-bad1-71e7d34c8991-9917910.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"In this 1 Aug. 2017 file photo, people queue to enter the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Culture news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cloudburst in Florence: rain pours into the Uffizi and historic Palazzo Pitti\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            European leaders rush to counter looming diesel price surge as Saudi pipeline attacked<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/67\/86\/1536x864_cmsv2_d4f7983c-fa4d-5db3-871a-92f3800496f7-9916786.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of a Franco-Italian summit in Antibes, June 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of a Franco-Italian summit in Antibes, June 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">AP Photo \/  Manon Cruz<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo \/  Manon Cruz\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789648512\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-09-17 14:35:12 +02:00\">17\/09\/2026 &#8211; 14:35 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"19:06\">19:06<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header u-display-flex\"><span>Share<\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-close.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"Close Button\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-close\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content u-display-flex\">\n<div id=\"share-comment-popup-content-container\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__container u-display-flex\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"facebook\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Facebook<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-facebook.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"facebook\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"twitter\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Twitter<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-twitter.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"twitter\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"flipboard\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Flipboard<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-flipboard.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"flipboard\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"send\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Send<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-send.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"send\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"reddit\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Reddit<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-reddit.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"reddit\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"linkedin\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Linkedin<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-linkedin.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"linkedin\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"messenger\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Messenger<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-messenger.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"messenger\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"telegram\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Telegram<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-telegram.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"telegram\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"vk\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>VK<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-vk.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        A pipeline that was being used as an alternative to the besieged Strait of Hormuz has come under attack, threatening to drive worldwide fuel prices even higher.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>European leaders are once again rushing to mitigate rising oil prices as Saudi cargoes are delayed or cancelled amid another conflict escalation in the Middle East, raising fears of soaring prices at the pump across many capitals. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The latest shock is coming from Saudi Arabia, where Houthi and Iraqi attacks have forced the temporary closure of the 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline \u2013 a crucial route designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n<p>The disruption threatens as much as 4% of global oil supply if it persists, this after Saudi crude output fell sharply in August to its lowest level in more than three decades. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil recently traded above $113 a barrel due to mounting supply risks.<\/p>\n<p>For France and Italy, both of which will hold crucial elections in 2027, high energy prices are a major domestic political issue, as voters are preparing to judge governments on purchasing power.<\/p>\n<p>Rising energy and fuel costs in France are already feeding into consumer anxiety, with inflation reaching 2.7% in August and energy among the main drivers. Italy faces a similar problem, with August inflation accelerating to 3.3%, driven heavily by energy, while petrol and diesel prices have climbed sharply. <\/p>\n<h2>French diplomacy<\/h2>\n<p>On Wednesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a &#8220;mobilisation&#8221; to tackle fuel prices, while saying France is working to secure oil supplies and reduce pressure on motorists.<\/p>\n<p>Macron has also linked energy security directly to diplomacy in the Middle East, arguing after talks with Iraq&#8217;s prime minister this week that alternative routes around Hormuz and regional de-escalation are necessary to protect French consumers.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Saudi pipeline shutdown threatens oil exports to Europe and Asia as kingdom relies on stored supplies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;The priority: restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil transit, protecting the energy infrastructure of our partners, and securing production. It&#8217;s essential to guarantee our supplies. We&#8217;re working with our coalition partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,&#8221; Macron wrote on X.<\/p>\n<p>The French President added that ongoing work alongside &#8220;our coalition partners for freedom of navigation&#8221; through Hormuz aims to open alternative routes to reduce dependence on the vital waterway and secure supplies.<\/p>\n<h2>Italy scraps car taxes<\/h2>\n<p>Meanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced overnight the abolition of the stamp duty imposed on small and medium-powered cars, which she described as one of the taxes most hated by Italians. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We have chosen to redirect a portion of the resources used so far to address rising fuel prices into a simple, structural measure designed especially for those who use cars and motorcycles every day to work, take their children, or get around,&#8221; Meloni wrote on X.<\/p>\n<p>The Italian leader stressed that the car tax will remain beyond 2027, noting the measure is designed to be &#8220;structural and permanent&#8221;. Meloni has also asked the European Commission to treat the energy crisis like a defence emergency and relax fiscal rules that member states must comply with.<\/p>\n<p>At the same time, Rome has already adopted measures to accelerate domestic oil and gas projects, explicitly presenting increased production as part of a broader energy-security response.<\/p>\n<p>Spain doubled its diesel tax cut to 20 cents a litre from September 1 after diesel prices jumped 15.7% in July, activating an automatic mechanism in the government&#8217;s anti-crisis package. Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo is meeting with social partners in Madrid on Thursday to assess the war&#8217;s impact on Spain. <\/p>\n<h2>Germany coming soon<\/h2>\n<p>Chancellor Friedrich Merz said recently that Berlin will &#8220;soon&#8221; present measures to ease the impact of record fuel prices. Petrol and diesel prices stood at \u20ac2.45 per litre on Thursday, according to the General German Automobile Club.<\/p>\n<p>However, just like any other nation, Germany&#8217;s exposure to imported energy means the government has little ability to control the underlying international price. After losing a tremendous number of seats in the latest regional election to the far-right Alternative for Germany, Merz\u2019s Christian Democrats must strike a delicate balance to avoid alienating its electorate further. <\/p>\n<p>Merz also framed the problem as one requiring international coordination, warning that the expansion of Houthi control around the Bab el-Mandeb threatens Saudi and other regional oil exports and further tightens global energy markets. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Houthis now control strategic positions around the Bab el-Mandab Strait and are attacking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia; this further exacerbates the situation in international energy markets,\u201d Merz told a press conference on 14 September.<\/p>\n<div class=\"widget widget--type-image widget--size-fullwidth widget--animation-fade-in widget--align-center\" data-ratio=\"0.656\">\n<div class=\"widget__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"widget__ratio widget__ratio--auto\">\n<div class=\"widget__contents\">\n<figure class=\"widget__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"widgetImage__image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/67\/86\/808x532_cmsv2_b98e2863-aa98-5a7a-9126-743dc86d21a3-9916786.jpg\" alt=\"Oil pipelines snake through the port area of the Aramco facility at Ras Tannura, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 25, 1990, as a Panamanian ship sits tied to the dock.\"><figcaption class=\"widget__caption\"><span class=\"widget__captionWrap\"><span class=\"widget__captionText\">Oil pipelines snake through the port area of the Aramco facility at Ras Tannura, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 25, 1990, as a Panamanian ship sits tied to the dock.<\/span><span class=\"widget__captionCredit\">AP Photo \/ Tannen Maury<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Pricing issue<\/h2>\n<p>Asked whether Europe is approaching a potential supply shock, a Commission spokesperson said pricing is the major crisis rather than diesel shortages, noting that no member state has so far raised any security of supply concerns.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;There is no supply problem in the EU at the present time,&#8221; Commission Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told Euronews. &#8220;Demand for jet fuel and diesel in Europe continues to be met through higher EU refinery production, as well as alternative supplies from global markets.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, Itkonen acknowledged that the evolution of the conflict in the Middle East, as well as usual autumn and winter demand trends, could impact the coming weeks and months and further tighten markets.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;We&#8217;re not yet in a situation where we&#8217;ll be tapping strategic resources, and we keep monitoring the situation alongside member states and the industry,&#8221; she added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-2\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Oil surges past $108 as Hormuz attack and Saudi pipeline shutdown rattle markets<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nonetheless, the Commission said that it has been encouraging EU countries to cushion prices through taxation, which plays a big role in determining energy prices, noting that it is beyond its power to influence global oil prices.<\/p>\n<p>Homayoun Falakshashi, head of crude oil analysis at the market intelligence firm Kpler, said the Saudi disruption \u2013 which runs as high as 5.5 million barrels per day \u2013 could be less bad than expected, as the Saudis have said work on the damaged pipeline has started. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Up to 3.5-4 million barrels per day of exports are at risk, but also some 1.5 million barrels per day that feed western Saudi refineries, so it&#8217;s also bullish for diesel,&#8221; Falakshashi told Euronews, referring to a likely price increase regardless of supply. <\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, Falakshashi said throughput should come back to 3-4 million barrels per day instead of 5.5.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;On the other hand, we are hearing that Yanbu loadings are continuing, but we cannot yet confirm if this is true. So the key question is how much can get loaded from the east coast (Ras Tanura) and if these volumes can escape the Persian Gulf.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2>Momentum for windfall profit tax<\/h2>\n<p>With soaring prices and rising inflation, the call for a windfall profit tax is gaining traction, with several EU lawmakers and EU leaders mentioning it on the sidelines of Ursula von der Leyen&#8217;s speech at the State of the Union on 16 September.<\/p>\n<p>During her address to the plenary in Strasbourg, the leader of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats group, Iratxe Garc\u00eda P\u00e9rez, proposed introducing a windfall tax on energy companies to finance a social support scheme.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTrump and Netanyahu&#8217;s war against Iran has strengthened the ayatollahs and sent the cost of living soaring,\u201d she said. &#8220;Let&#8217;s accelerate renewables. And let&#8217;s get those who benefit from this crisis to contribute.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-3\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Six EU countries push for windfall tax on oil companies amid surging war profits<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Garc\u00eda said the contribution would be used to help fragile households pay their electricity bills, fill their shopping carts, put petrol in their cars and heat their homes.<\/p>\n<p>Her remarks were echoed by those of her Green counterpart, Terry Reintke, who argued energy companies continue to profit from Europe\u2019s extraordinary energy crisis, leaving the big bill for consumers to foot. <\/p>\n<p>In August, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Austria asked Ireland&#8217;s EU Presidency to put an EU-wide windfall-profit mechanism on the agenda of the September finance ministers&#8217; meeting, which will be held during an informal gathering of finance ministers on the 18 and 19 of September. <\/p>\n<p>Esther Lynch, General Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation representing millions of workers in the EU, said the introduction of windfall taxes is a &#8220;matter of justice&#8221; needed to stop price gouging and relieve the cost pressure on working people.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It has been clear for some time now that energy companies are exploiting the geopolitical crisis to cash in at the expense of working people suffering a prolonged cost-of-living crisis,&#8221; Lynch told Euronews.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Germany turns on Brussels as Chinese car sales on track to exceed 1m in 2026<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  BP profit more than doubles as Middle East conflict boosts oil prices<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  EU countries need more &#8216;targeted measures&#8217; to tackle soaring energy prices, says IMF&#8217;s Helge Berger<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU Policy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Europe&#8217;s energy crisis<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Diesel<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Saudi Arabia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  France<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Italy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926487-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926487\" data-cid=\"9917303\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926487-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/73\/03\/320x180_cmsv2_b9623a51-0cf1-5351-86ad-e3da0d3e919f-9917303.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney waves as he arrives in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Carney hails EU-Canada alliance but draws lines on membership<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926555-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926555\" data-cid=\"9917713\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926555-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/13\/320x180_cmsv2_4c44ca5b-6b3d-5bd7-8175-cba994e67722-9917713.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump&apos;s senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs Massad Boulos speaks to Euronews at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, 17 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump determined to end Iran war soon, senior adviser tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926598-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926598\" data-cid=\"9918014\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926598-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/04\/320x180_cmsv2_015db515-1992-5c0b-a278-ae36bad0cde9-9917904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Donald Tusk in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland on 17 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tusk: intelligence sees Russian plan for drone strikes on Poland, allies<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926482-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926482\" data-cid=\"9917286\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926482-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/72\/86\/320x180_cmsv2_576cf04c-5960-5a0f-aab9-2090762eb14e-9917286.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman speaks during a presentation of the company&apos;s AI assistant, Copilot, ahead of a 50th Anniversary presentation at Microsoft headquarters.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI could create a &#8216;silicon species&#8217; that rivals humans, Microsoft chief warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2925906-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925906\" data-cid=\"9916618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925906-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/43\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_3283e536-a856-51aa-997b-5adfd8539762-9914364.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Armin Papperger, CEO of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s missile stockpiles &#8216;worryingly low&#8217;, Rheinmetall CEO says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-2\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-most-viewed\">\n<h2 class=\"c-most-viewed__title qa-section-title\">Most read<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__list\">\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">1<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926249-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926249\" data-cid=\"9916022\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Metsola: Australia, New Zealand could be next EU &#8216;associated members&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926399-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926399\" data-cid=\"9916763\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mark Carney&#8217;s speech in the EU Parliament as it happened<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926136-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926136\" data-cid=\"9915431\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada invited to become first &#8216;associate member&#8217; of the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926208-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926208\" data-cid=\"9915784\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe versus the US: The world\u2019s best cities in 2026 ranked<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-most-viewed__item\"><span class=\"c-most-viewed__item__number\">5<\/span><\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926342-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926342\" data-cid=\"9916506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump threatens EU over &#8216;hostile&#8217; plan to make Canada associate member<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926487-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926487\" data-cid=\"9917303\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926487-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/73\/03\/320x180_cmsv2_b9623a51-0cf1-5351-86ad-e3da0d3e919f-9917303.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney waves as he arrives in the Hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Carney hails EU-Canada alliance but draws lines on membership<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926555-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926555\" data-cid=\"9917713\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926555-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/77\/13\/320x180_cmsv2_4c44ca5b-6b3d-5bd7-8175-cba994e67722-9917713.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump&apos;s senior adviser on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs Massad Boulos speaks to Euronews at the Arab Media Summit in Dubai, 17 September 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump determined to end Iran war soon, senior adviser tells Euronews<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926598-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926598\" data-cid=\"9918014\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926598-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/79\/04\/320x180_cmsv2_015db515-1992-5c0b-a278-ae36bad0cde9-9917904.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Donald Tusk in the Sejm of the Republic of Poland on 17 September 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Tusk: intelligence sees Russian plan for drone strikes on Poland, allies<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926482-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926482\" data-cid=\"9917286\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926482-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/72\/86\/320x180_cmsv2_576cf04c-5960-5a0f-aab9-2090762eb14e-9917286.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman speaks during a presentation of the company&apos;s AI assistant, Copilot, ahead of a 50th Anniversary presentation at Microsoft headquarters.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    AI could create a &#8216;silicon species&#8217; that rivals humans, Microsoft chief warns<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925906-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925906\" data-cid=\"9916618\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2925906-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/43\/64\/320x180_cmsv2_3283e536-a856-51aa-997b-5adfd8539762-9914364.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Armin Papperger, CEO of arms manufacturer Rheinmetall\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Germany&#8217;s missile stockpiles &#8216;worryingly low&#8217;, Rheinmetall CEO says<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926249-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926249\" data-cid=\"9916022\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Metsola: Australia, New Zealand could be next EU &#8216;associated members&#8217;<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926399-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926399\" data-cid=\"9916763\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Mark Carney&#8217;s speech in the EU Parliament as it happened<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926136-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926136\" data-cid=\"9915431\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canada invited to become first &#8216;associate member&#8217; of the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926208-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926208\" data-cid=\"9915784\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Europe versus the US: The world\u2019s best cities in 2026 ranked<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926342-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926342\" data-cid=\"9916506\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump threatens EU over &#8216;hostile&#8217; plan to make Canada associate member<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">European leaders are once again rushing to mitigate rising oil prices as Saudi cargoes are delayed or cancelled amid another conflict escalation in the Middle East, raising fears of soaring prices at the pump across many capitals.The latest shock is coming from Saudi Arabia, where Houthi and Iraqi attacks have forced the temporary closure of the 1,200-kilometre East-West oil pipeline \u2013 a crucial route designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz.The disruption threatens as much as 4% of global oil supply if it persists, this after Saudi crude output fell sharply in August to its lowest level in more than three decades. Meanwhile, Brent crude oil recently traded above $113 a barrel due to mounting supply risks.For France and Italy, both of which will hold crucial elections in 2027, high energy prices are a major domestic political issue, as voters are preparing to judge governments on purchasing power.Rising energy and fuel costs in France are already feeding into consumer anxiety, with inflation reaching 2.7% in August and energy among the main drivers.\u00a0Italy faces a similar problem, with August inflation accelerating\u00a0to 3.3%, driven heavily by energy, while petrol and diesel prices have climbed sharply.\u00a0French diplomacyOn Wednesday evening, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered a &#8220;mobilisation&#8221; to tackle fuel prices, while saying France is working to secure oil supplies and reduce pressure on motorists.Macron has also linked energy security directly to diplomacy in the Middle East, arguing after talks with Iraq&#8217;s prime minister this week that alternative routes around Hormuz and regional de-escalation are necessary to protect French consumers.&#8221;The priority: restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for oil transit, protecting the energy infrastructure of our partners, and securing production. It&#8217;s essential to guarantee our supplies. We&#8217;re working with our coalition partners to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz,&#8221; Macron wrote on X.The French President added that ongoing work alongside &#8220;our coalition partners for freedom of navigation&#8221; through Hormuz aims to open alternative routes to reduce dependence on the vital waterway and secure supplies.Italy scraps car taxesMeanwhile, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced overnight the abolition of the stamp duty imposed on small and medium-powered cars, which she described as one of the taxes most hated by Italians.&#8221;We have chosen to redirect a portion of the resources used so far to address rising fuel prices into a simple, structural measure designed especially for those who use cars and motorcycles every day to work, take their children, or get around,&#8221; Meloni wrote on X.The Italian leader stressed that the car tax will remain beyond 2027, noting the measure is designed to be &#8220;structural and permanent&#8221;. Meloni has also asked the European Commission to treat the energy crisis like a defence emergency and relax fiscal rules that member states must comply with.At the same time, Rome has already adopted measures to accelerate domestic oil and gas projects, explicitly presenting increased production as part of a broader energy-security response.Spain doubled its diesel tax cut to 20 cents a litre from September 1 after diesel prices jumped 15.7% in July, activating an automatic mechanism in the government&#8217;s anti-crisis package. Spanish Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo is meeting with social partners in Madrid on Thursday to assess the war&#8217;s impact on Spain.Germany coming soonChancellor Friedrich Merz said recently that Berlin will &#8220;soon&#8221; present measures to ease the impact of record fuel prices. Petrol and diesel prices stood at \u20ac2.45 per litre on Thursday, according to the General German Automobile Club.However, just like any other nation, Germany&#8217;s exposure to imported energy means the government has little ability to control the underlying international price. After losing a tremendous number of seats in the latest regional election to the far-right Alternative for Germany, Merz\u2019s Christian Democrats must strike a delicate balance to avoid alienating its electorate further.Merz also framed the problem as one requiring international coordination, warning that the expansion of Houthi control around the Bab el-Mandeb threatens Saudi and other regional oil exports and further tightens global energy markets.\u201cThe Houthis now control strategic positions around the Bab el-Mandab Strait and are attacking energy facilities in Saudi Arabia; this further exacerbates the situation in international energy markets,\u201d Merz told a press conference on 14 September.Pricing issueAsked whether Europe is approaching a potential supply shock, a Commission spokesperson said pricing is the major crisis rather than diesel shortages, noting that no member state has so far raised any security of supply concerns.&#8221;There is no supply problem\u00a0in the EU\u00a0at\u00a0the present\u00a0time,&#8221; Commission Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told Euronews. &#8220;Demand for\u00a0jet\u00a0fuel and\u00a0diesel\u00a0in Europe continues\u00a0to be met through\u00a0higher\u00a0EU\u00a0refinery\u00a0production,\u00a0as well as\u00a0alternative supplies from global markets.&#8221;However, Itkonen acknowledged that the evolution of the conflict in the Middle East,\u00a0as well as usual autumn and winter demand trends, could impact the coming\u00a0weeks and months and further tighten markets.&#8221;We&#8217;re not yet in a situation where we&#8217;ll be tapping strategic resources, and we keep monitoring the situation alongside member states and the industry,&#8221; she added.Nonetheless, the Commission said that it has been encouraging EU countries to cushion prices through taxation, which plays a big role in determining energy prices, noting that it is beyond its power to influence global oil prices.Homayoun Falakshashi, head of crude oil analysis at the market intelligence firm Kpler, said the Saudi disruption \u2013 which runs as high as 5.5 million barrels per day \u2013 could be less bad than expected, as the Saudis have said work on the damaged pipeline has started.&#8221;Up to 3.5-4 million barrels per day of exports are at risk, but also some 1.5 million barrels per day that feed western Saudi refineries, so it&#8217;s also bullish for diesel,&#8221; Falakshashi told Euronews, referring to a likely price increase regardless of supply.Nonetheless, Falakshashi said throughput should come back to 3-4 million barrels per day instead of 5.5.&#8221;On the other hand, we are hearing that Yanbu loadings are continuing, but we cannot yet confirm if this is true. So the key question is how much can get loaded from the east coast (Ras Tanura) and if these volumes can escape the Persian Gulf.&#8221;Momentum for windfall profit taxWith soaring prices and rising inflation, the call for a windfall profit tax is gaining traction, with several EU lawmakers and EU leaders mentioning it on the sidelines of Ursula von der Leyen&#8217;s speech at the State of the Union on 16 September.During her address to the plenary in Strasbourg, the leader of the centre-left Socialists and Democrats group, Iratxe Garc\u00eda P\u00e9rez, proposed introducing a windfall tax on energy companies to finance a social support scheme.\u201cTrump and Netanyahu&#8217;s war against Iran has strengthened the ayatollahs and sent the cost of living soaring,\u201d she said. &#8220;Let&#8217;s accelerate renewables. And let&#8217;s get those who benefit from this crisis to contribute.&#8221;Garc\u00eda said the contribution would be used to help fragile households pay their electricity bills, fill their shopping carts, put petrol in their cars and heat their homes.Her remarks were echoed by those of her Green counterpart, Terry Reintke, who argued energy companies continue to profit from Europe\u2019s extraordinary energy crisis, leaving the big bill for consumers to foot.In August, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland and Austria asked Ireland&#8217;s EU Presidency to put an EU-wide windfall-profit mechanism on the agenda of the September finance ministers&#8217; meeting, which will be held during an informal gathering of finance ministers on the 18 and 19 of September.Esther Lynch, General Secretary at the European Trade Union Confederation representing millions of workers in the EU, said the introduction of windfall taxes is a &#8220;matter of justice&#8221; needed to stop price gouging and relieve the cost pressure on working people.&#8221;It has been clear for some time now that energy companies are exploiting the geopolitical crisis to cash in at the expense of working people suffering a prolonged cost-of-living crisis,&#8221; Lynch told Euronews.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/17\/european-leaders-rush-to-counter-looming-diesel-price-surge-as-saudi-pipeline-attacked&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/67\/86\/1200x675_cmsv2_d4f7983c-fa4d-5db3-871a-92f3800496f7-9916786.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos immunity Europe News Tusk: intelligence sees Russian plan for drone strikes on Poland, allies Tech News King Charles says AI must be kept under human control Culture news Cloudburst in Florence: rain pours into the Uffizi and historic Palazzo Pitti Europe News Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2150008","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2150008","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2150008"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2150008\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2150008"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2150008"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2150008"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}