It is a head-on crash between the associations of gas station owners and the government, which has launched a decree (called "transparency") to address the problem of high fuel prices, but has confirmed the end of the discount on excise duties (i.e. taxes on gasoline) prepared by the previous government led by Mario Draghi. The gas stations declare a strike for January 25-26 and refuse to be blamed for the price hike. They want to put a stop to what they describe a "wave of mud": "The government raises the price of gasoline and pushes the blame to managers, who are then subjected to the insults and abuse of frustrated drivers. A disgraceful media campaign against the category has been initiated ". The managers also announce the establishment of a garrison underneath the headquarters of the House of Deputies. Minister of the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin describes the gas station employees' strike as "their legitimate right," while on January 13 a conference is arranged between Undersecretary Alfredo Mantovano, the responsible ministries, and business groups to attempt mediation. In an interview with Tg1, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated, "We had approximately 10 billion and we had two options: cut excise duties for everyone, including the wealthy, or concentrate those resources on cutting labor costs, on deductions for new hires, on money for families to raise children: we chose the second option because we believe it has a greater multiplier".
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