The government wants to convene the Riksdag this summer to reduce the fuel tax.
The question is currently with the European Commission and Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg wants the Commission to come up with a message.
– We hope for a quick message and then we are ready to act, says Damberg.
It was the opposition’s proposal from the beginning to temporarily reduce the energy tax on fuel to zero. Since the tax then falls below the EU’s minimum level, Sweden has applied to make the tax reduction with the EU. The tax cuts would make it cheaper to refuel.
Minister of Finance Mikael Damberg is present at the Ecofin meeting together with the EU’s finance ministers in Luxembourg, and he thinks it is time for the EU Commission to come up with an answer to Sweden’s request. Then all the Member States must also approve the tax cut.
– If it were possible to reduce the energy tax down to zero, then we must get the message soon from the EU, otherwise time goes by, says Mikael Damberg.
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According to Damberg, the reduction would reduce the price of diesel by a further SEK 1 and 30 öre and the price of petrol slightly more.
– The Riksdag will in all probability vote no to the government’s proposal for fuel compensation for everyone who has a car. In one way or another, we must ensure that Swedish households receive compensation for the high prices at the pump.
The reduction is temporary for three months and could take effect in August. The Moderates, the Christian Democrats, the Sweden Democrats, the Liberals and the Left Party have demanded that the energy tax be reduced to zero for three months and have previously criticized the government for not pushing this hard enough within the EU.
– We are ready to present legislation to the Riksdag this summer, should the European Commission say yes to such an application, says Damberg.
The Riksdag closes at the end of June, but can be convened if necessary.