{"id":2152425,"date":"2026-09-18T13:16:30","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:16:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2152425"},"modified":"2026-09-18T13:16:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T10:16:30","slug":"eu-weighs-windfall-taxes-on-energy-firms-amid-growing-economic-strain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2152425","title":{"rendered":"EU weighs windfall taxes on energy firms amid growing economic strain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/83\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_b65092d1-1233-5c48-a3ea-f9b376edaae7-9918398.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2926985-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926985\" data-cid=\"9919727\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926985-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\/97\/27\/189x106_cmsv2_63b409a2-ed80-54db-a233-2ecceac35df0-9919727.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Ed Sheeran attends the Time100 Gala, in New York on April 24, 2025\" 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>    Ed Sheeran set to resume tour after Macklemore dropping debacle\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926641-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926641\" data-cid=\"9918787\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926641-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\/80\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_c94bb0e6-4683-5218-aae9-1100b6b50fc3-9918080.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney greets Emmanuel Macron at the official welcome for the G7 summit on 16 June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron heading to Saint Pierre and Miquelon to meet with Carney\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926864-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926864\" data-cid=\"9919211\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926864-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\/92\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_5bd2574c-c0b7-574e-b16c-ba28bb4e3d42-9919211.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Who deserves a transplant? AI&apos;s answer isn&apos;t the same as a human doctor&apos;s\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who deserves a transplant? AI disagrees with human doctors\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926975-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2926975\" data-cid=\"9919681\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926975-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\/96\/81\/189x106_cmsv2_0a99bed1-2bbd-5a3c-b4b0-26cc591551f9-9919681.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bolivia&apos;s President Rodrigo Paz arrive at Congress for the inauguration of Peru&apos;s new President Keiko Fujimori in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, July 28, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Bolivia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Congress ratifies $1.9 billion IMF deal to ease deep economic crisis\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926985-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926985\" data-cid=\"9919727\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926985-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\/97\/27\/189x106_cmsv2_63b409a2-ed80-54db-a233-2ecceac35df0-9919727.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Ed Sheeran attends the Time100 Gala, in New York on April 24, 2025\" 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>    Ed Sheeran set to resume tour after Macklemore dropping debacle\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926641-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926641\" data-cid=\"9918787\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926641-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\/80\/80\/189x106_cmsv2_c94bb0e6-4683-5218-aae9-1100b6b50fc3-9918080.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Mark Carney greets Emmanuel Macron at the official welcome for the G7 summit on 16 June 2025 in Kananaskis, Canada.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    World News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Macron heading to Saint Pierre and Miquelon to meet with Carney\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926864-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926864\" data-cid=\"9919211\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926864-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\/92\/11\/189x106_cmsv2_5bd2574c-c0b7-574e-b16c-ba28bb4e3d42-9919211.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Who deserves a transplant? AI&apos;s answer isn&apos;t the same as a human doctor&apos;s\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Health news<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who deserves a transplant? AI disagrees with human doctors\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926975-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2926975\" data-cid=\"9919681\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926975-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\/96\/81\/189x106_cmsv2_0a99bed1-2bbd-5a3c-b4b0-26cc591551f9-9919681.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Bolivia&apos;s President Rodrigo Paz arrive at Congress for the inauguration of Peru&apos;s new President Keiko Fujimori in Lima, Peru, Tuesday, July 28, 2026\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Bolivia<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Congress ratifies $1.9 billion IMF deal to ease deep economic crisis\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                            EU weighs windfall taxes on energy firms amid growing economic strain<\/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\/83\/98\/1536x864_cmsv2_b65092d1-1233-5c48-a3ea-f9b376edaae7-9918398.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis, left, speaks with European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels.\"><\/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              Eurogroup President Kyriakos Pierrakakis, left, speaks with European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis in Brussels.<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\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0AP Photo\/Geert Vanden Wijngaert\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;nbspEleonora Vasques&amp;nbsp&amp;&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1789737390\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-09-18 15:16:30 +02:00\">18\/09\/2026 &#8211; 15:16 GMT+2<\/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 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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        EU ministers meeting in Dublin on Friday and Saturday are considering a windfall tax on energy companies, as price volatility continues to destabilise the economic outlook.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>A windfall tax for firms profiting from energy price volatility is one of the ideas circulating among EU ministers meeting in Dublin on Friday and Saturday for the periodic meetings of the Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Council. <\/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>With the war in the Middle East continuing, Brent crude oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, and extreme volatility in energy prices is driving inflation higher across the bloc, which is not expected to return to the 2% target before the end of 2027.<\/p>\n<p>While growth indicators are still performing well this year, the European Commission expects economic growth to slow down in 2027.<\/p>\n<p>The EU is urging member states to pursue prudent fiscal policies and remain within the existing fiscal flexibility of 1.5% for defence spending, of which 0.3% can be used to contain energy prices.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) is gradually raising interest rates to contain inflation.<\/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\">ECB hikes rates to 2.5% as energy shock pushes eurozone inflation higher<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThere are several member states that put forward this initiative, it is part of our discussions,&#8221; European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said during a press conference on Friday, referring to the windfall tax.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Member states can already implement windfall profit taxes at the national level if they decide to do so. From the Commission side, we are ready to support those member states by sharing best practices and finding a good way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is pressing the European Commission to present models for a windfall tax, asking to have something on the table by the next Economic and Finance Council meeting in October.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;You know that I have been fighting for this for a long time, together with other European finance ministers,&#8221; Klingbeil said on the sidelines of Friday&#8217;s meeting.<\/p>\n<p>The Spanish Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo also expressed his favour for the proposal on Friday.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are managing to lower the bill for homes, companies, industries, transport companies, and this at the expense of the taxpayer&#8217;s money. We believe there may be fairer ways to distribute this cost,\u201d Cuerpo said.<\/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\">European leaders rush to counter looming diesel price surge as Saudi pipeline attacked<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has been more cautious about the proposal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis [energy] shock can have a different impact on different countries. We do feel that whatever discussion we have, whatever work has been done, needs to take into account the specificities of each country,&#8221; he said ahead of the meeting on Friday, specifying that France has a &#8220;bigger electricity mix&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>To the direct question on whether he supports the proposal or not, Lescure said that he support any work that\u2019s being done, but that &#8220;I can\u2019t support something before I\u2019ve seen it&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;I\u2019ll see what the work comes out with, and then we\u2019ll have a discussion.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Energy taxes: the bulk of pricing<\/h2>\n<p>Although the energy crisis is affecting the bloc, not all member states are affected in the same way, with prices at the pump varying greatly.<\/p>\n<p>Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands, the three EU countries currently paying the most for diesel, impose some of the highest fuel taxes in the world, pushing retail diesel prices much higher. <\/p>\n<p>On the other hand, countries in Eastern Europe such as Bulgaria and Poland set excise duties far lower, keeping their pump prices down.<\/p>\n<p>Yet according to EU official data published on Thursday, the EU country paying the least for diesel is Malta, with \u20ac1.20 per litre charged at the pump on 14 September.<\/p>\n<p>The significant discrepancy in diesel prices across the EU is driven mainly by divergent national tax policies \u2013 excise duties and VAT \u2013 which make up the largest portion of the retail price of diesel. <\/p>\n<p>However, the difference between diesel prices before and after taxes is staggering. Per the data released on Thursday, Finland\u2019s diesel price stood \u20ac1.48 per litre before taxes and \u20ac2.50 after taxes.<\/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\">Spain wins EU backing for temporary fuel tax cuts as Middle East crisis keeps prices high<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Denmark also ranked high, with diesel at \u20ac1.43 before taxes and \u20ac2.50 per litre after taxes, while Dutch citizens would pay only \u20ac1.50 per litre of diesel without taxes and \u20ac2.49 with taxes.<\/p>\n<p>France, which has the third-highest government debt in the EU, has chosen targeted to offer assistance for the sectors most exposed to the price shock rather than cutting fuel taxes. <\/p>\n<p>French Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu asked ministers to extend support for sectors most exposed to higher energy costs until 31 December. Meanwhile, diesel prices at the French pump stood at \u20ac2.29 per litre on 14 September, against \u20ac1.30 before taxes.<\/p>\n<p>Regional refining capacity also further amplifies energy pricing. All EU countries buy crude oil from the same volatile global markets, but the price motorists ultimately pay at the pump depends on whether there is sufficient refining capacity nearby, how easily fuel can be transported from other regions and how well local refineries can process the particular type of crude available.<\/p>\n<p>During a supply shock like the one the EU is currently suffering, EU countries with spare refining capacity, diversified import routes and strong links to neighbouring fuel markets may be able to cushion the disruption more easily.<\/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>                  ECB staff raise stability concerns about rumours of Lagarde&#8217;s early departure<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Eurogroup chief tells Euronews &#8216;fiscal policy must not contradict ECB&#8217; effort to tame inflation<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Constrained flexibility: Which European countries have the highest job insecurity?<\/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  European Union<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Economy<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-2926958-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926958\" data-cid=\"9919627\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926958-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\/96\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_b0a1d7e2-2437-5087-8a65-c0fcad8d21af-9919627.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A general view of Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Denmark reach deal over Greenland&#8217;s security<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926969-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926969\" data-cid=\"9919662\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926969-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\/96\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_3e68294e-8f77-590b-b90d-11add01e1a31-9919662.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump boards Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump signs into law sanctions package targeting Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926804-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926804\" data-cid=\"9918869\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926804-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\/88\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2077ae21-49e6-5464-8395-5dc03a6c6f44-9918869.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - A car drives into a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed in Paris, Monday, 9 March 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU fuel prices hit records; ECB experts say diesel margins yet to peak<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926985-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926985\" data-cid=\"9919727\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926985-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\/97\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_63b409a2-ed80-54db-a233-2ecceac35df0-9919727.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Ed Sheeran attends the Time100 Gala, in New York on April 24, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ed Sheeran set to resume tour after Macklemore dropping debacle<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2926864-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926864\" data-cid=\"9919211\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926864-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\/92\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_5bd2574c-c0b7-574e-b16c-ba28bb4e3d42-9919211.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Who deserves a transplant? AI&apos;s answer isn&apos;t the same as a human doctor&apos;s\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who deserves a transplant? AI disagrees with human doctors<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-2925664-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925664\" data-cid=\"9913223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    For how many years do Europeans receive a pension?<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-2926733-pos2-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=\"2926733\" data-cid=\"9918469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canberra 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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-2926958-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926958\" data-cid=\"9919627\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926958-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\/96\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_b0a1d7e2-2437-5087-8a65-c0fcad8d21af-9919627.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A general view of Nuuk, Greenland, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US and Denmark reach deal over Greenland&#8217;s security<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926969-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926969\" data-cid=\"9919662\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926969-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\/96\/62\/320x180_cmsv2_3e68294e-8f77-590b-b90d-11add01e1a31-9919662.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"US President Donald Trump boards Marine One on the Ellipse near the White House, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, in Washington\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Trump signs into law sanctions package targeting Russia&#8217;s economy<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926804-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926804\" data-cid=\"9918869\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926804-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\/88\/69\/320x180_cmsv2_2077ae21-49e6-5464-8395-5dc03a6c6f44-9918869.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - A car drives into a gas station as gasoline prices are displayed in Paris, Monday, 9 March 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    EU fuel prices hit records; ECB experts say diesel margins yet to peak<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926985-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926985\" data-cid=\"9919727\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926985-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\/97\/27\/320x180_cmsv2_63b409a2-ed80-54db-a233-2ecceac35df0-9919727.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE - Ed Sheeran attends the Time100 Gala, in New York on April 24, 2025\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Ed Sheeran set to resume tour after Macklemore dropping debacle<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926864-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926864\" data-cid=\"9919211\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2926864-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\/92\/11\/320x180_cmsv2_5bd2574c-c0b7-574e-b16c-ba28bb4e3d42-9919211.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Who deserves a transplant? AI&apos;s answer isn&apos;t the same as a human doctor&apos;s\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Who deserves a transplant? AI disagrees with human doctors<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2925664-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2925664\" data-cid=\"9913223\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    For how many years do Europeans receive a pension?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926733-pos2-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=\"2926733\" data-cid=\"9918469\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Canberra responds to Metsola\u2019s EU &#8216;associate membership&#8217; suggestion<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926442-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=\"2926442\" data-cid=\"9918805\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Russians go to polls with no party against Putin or war in Ukraine<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926602-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926602\" data-cid=\"9917925\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Cloudburst in Florence: rain pours into the Uffizi and historic Palazzo Pitti<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2926598-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 m-modeXL-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2926598\" data-cid=\"9918014\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\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 class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">A windfall tax for firms profiting from energy price volatility is one of the ideas circulating among EU ministers meeting in Dublin on Friday and Saturday for the periodic meetings of the Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Council.With the war in the Middle East continuing, Brent crude oil prices have surpassed $100 per barrel, and extreme volatility in energy prices is driving inflation higher across the bloc, which is not expected to return to the 2% target before the end of 2027.While growth indicators are still performing well this year, the European Commission expects economic growth to slow down in 2027.The EU is urging member states to pursue prudent fiscal policies and remain within the existing fiscal flexibility of 1.5% for defence spending, of which 0.3% can be used to contain energy prices.Meanwhile, the European Central Bank (ECB) is gradually raising interest rates to contain inflation.\u201cThere are several member states that put forward this initiative, it is part of our discussions,&#8221; European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said during a press conference on Friday, referring to the windfall tax.&#8221;Member states can already implement windfall profit taxes at the national level if they decide to do so. From the Commission side, we are ready to support those member states by sharing best practices and finding a good way forward.\u201dGerman Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil is pressing the European Commission to present models for a windfall tax, asking to have something on the table by the next Economic and Finance Council meeting in October.&#8221;You know that I have been fighting for this for a long time, together with other European finance ministers,&#8221; Klingbeil said on the sidelines of Friday&#8217;s meeting.The Spanish Finance Minister Carlos Cuerpo also expressed his favour for the proposal on Friday.\u201cWe are managing to lower the bill for homes, companies, industries, transport companies, and this at the expense of the taxpayer&#8217;s money. We believe there may be fairer ways to distribute this cost,\u201d Cuerpo said.French Finance Minister Roland Lescure has been more cautious about the proposal.\u201cThis [energy] shock can have a different impact on different countries. We do feel that whatever discussion we have, whatever work has been done, needs to take into account the specificities of each country,&#8221; he said ahead of the meeting on Friday, specifying that France has a &#8220;bigger electricity mix&#8221;.To the direct question on whether he supports the proposal or not, Lescure said that he support any work that\u2019s being done, but that &#8220;I can\u2019t support something before I\u2019ve seen it&#8221;.&#8221;I\u2019ll see what the work comes out with, and then we\u2019ll have a discussion.\u201dEnergy taxes: the bulk of pricingAlthough the energy crisis is affecting the bloc, not all member states are affected in the same way, with prices at the pump varying greatly.Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands, the three EU countries currently paying the most for diesel, impose some of the highest fuel taxes in the world, pushing retail diesel prices much higher.On the other hand, countries in Eastern Europe such as Bulgaria and Poland set excise duties far lower, keeping their pump prices down.Yet according to EU official data published on Thursday, the EU country paying the least for diesel is Malta, with \u20ac1.20 per litre charged at the pump on 14 September.The significant discrepancy in diesel prices across the EU is driven mainly by divergent national tax policies \u2013 excise duties and VAT \u2013 which make up the largest portion of the retail price of diesel.However, the difference between diesel prices before and after taxes is staggering. Per the data released on Thursday, Finland\u2019s diesel price stood \u20ac1.48 per litre before taxes and \u20ac2.50 after taxes.Denmark also ranked high, with diesel at \u20ac1.43 before taxes and \u20ac2.50 per litre after taxes, while Dutch citizens would pay only \u20ac1.50 per litre of diesel without taxes and \u20ac2.49 with taxes.France, which has the third-highest government debt in the EU, has chosen targeted to offer assistance for the sectors most exposed to the price shock rather than cutting fuel taxes.French Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu asked ministers to extend support for sectors most exposed to higher energy costs until 31 December. Meanwhile, diesel prices at the French pump stood at \u20ac2.29 per litre on 14 September, against \u20ac1.30 before taxes.Regional refining capacity also further amplifies energy pricing. All EU countries buy crude oil from the same volatile global markets, but the price motorists ultimately pay at the pump depends on whether there is sufficient refining capacity nearby, how easily fuel can be transported from other regions and how well local refineries can process the particular type of crude available.During a supply shock like the one the EU is currently suffering, EU countries with spare refining capacity, diversified import routes and strong links to neighbouring fuel markets may be able to cushion the disruption more easily.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/09\/18\/eu-weighs-windfall-taxes-on-energy-firms-amid-growing-economic-strain&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/91\/83\/98\/1200x675_cmsv2_b65092d1-1233-5c48-a3ea-f9b376edaae7-9918398.jpg&#8221;] Culture news Ed Sheeran set to resume tour after Macklemore dropping debacle World News Macron heading to Saint Pierre and Miquelon to meet with Carney Health news Who deserves a transplant? AI disagrees with human doctors Bolivia Congress ratifies $1.9 billion IMF deal to ease deep economic crisis Culture news Ed Sheeran [&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-2152425","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\/2152425","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=2152425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2152425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2152425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2152425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2152425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}