Sussidji diretti u għajnuna mill-istat għandhom ikunu mmirati lejn dawk l-aktar milquta minn prezzijiet eċċezzjonali tal-gass u l-elettriku

Fid-dawl taż-żieda fil-prezzijiet tal-gass u l-elettriku fl-Ewropa, ir-rispons immedjat għandu jkun dak ta’ soluzzjoni f’żewġ stadji “intervent tal-gvern permezz ta’ sussidji diretti u forom oħra ta’ għajnuna mill-istat”, u awtonomija tal-enerġija. Għalhekk, filwaqt li titbiegħed mid-dipendenza tagħha fuq il-fjuwils fossili, l-UE għandha tiffoka fuq il-ħolqien ta’ sorsi ġodda ta’ enerġija rinnovabbli kif ukoll fuq il-promozzjoni ta’ użu aktar effiċjenti tal-enerġija, stqarr Alfred Sant.

Waqt li kien qed jindirizza dibattitu fil-Parlament Ewropew dwar soluzzjonijiet Ewropej għaż-żieda fil-prezzijiet tal-enerġija, l-eks Prim Ministru u mexxej tad-delegazzjoni Laburista għall-grupp tal-S&D fil-Parlament Ewropew, Sant iddikjara li ż-żidiet qawwija fil-prezzijiet tal-gass u tal-elettriku qed twassal għal impatt dirett fuq il-bwiet taċ-ċittadini u fuq l-intrapriżi ż-żgħar. Barra minn hekk, qed jiġġeneraw ukoll żieda fil-prezz tal-prodotti u s-servizzi Ewropej. Eventwalment, dan ser iwassal għal rata ta’ inflazzjoni ogħla u żieda fil-prezz tal-esportazzjonijiet Ewropej.

L-ixprun ewlieni tad-dibattitu plenarju tal-MPE kien li jissuġġerixxi miżuri ġodda affordabbli u sostenibbli biex itaffi l-effett negattiv ikkwżat miż-żieda qawwija fil-prezzijiet tal-enerġija fuq id-djar u n-negozji. Dawn jinkludu miżuri għall-ġlieda kontra l-faqar enerġetiku.

Filwaqt li rrikonoxxa li din ma kinitx l-ewwel darba li l-fornituri tal-enerġija ħallew lill-Ewropa f’sitwazzjoni ta’ inabbiltà, Sant enfasizza li l-aħjar għażla għall-futur tkun “awtonomija tal-enerġija.” F’dan ir-rigward, huwa ħeġġeġ biex l-Istati Membri Ewropej kollha jagħmlu sforz akbar biex jiġġeneraw is-sorsi ta’ enerġija rinnovabbli tagħhom stess u jtejbu l-konservazzjoni billi jtejbu l-effiċjenza enerġetika.

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Direct subsidies and state aid should target those most hit by exceptional gas and electricity prices

Given the upward spiral of gas and electricity prices in Europe, the immediate response should be that of a two-step solution “government intervention through direct subsidies and other forms of state aid”, and energy autonomy. Therefore, while moving away from its dependence on fossil fuels, the EU should focus on creating new renewable energy sources as well on promoting a more efficient use of energy, Alfred Sant stated.

Addressing a debate in the European Parliament about European solutions to the rise of energy prices, former Prime Minister and leader of the Labour delegation to the S&D group in the European Parliament, Sant stated that the exceptional rises in gas and electricity prices are having a huge direct impact on the pockets of citizens and on small enterprises. Besides, they are also generating a rise in the price of European products and services. Ultimately, this will fuel a higher inflation rate and an increase in the price of European exports.

The main thrust of the MEPs’ plenary debate was to suggest new affordable and sustainable measures to mitigate the negative effect brought about by the sharp spike in energy prices on households and businesses, including measures to combat energy poverty.

While acknowledging that this was not the first time that energy suppliers have left Europe in a situation of helplessness, Sant emphasized that the best option for the future would be “energy autonomy.” On this account, he urged that all European Member states put more effort in generating their own renewable energy sources and improving conservation by upgrading energy efficiency.