The Secretary of State for European Affairs announced that Portugal will vote Friday in favor of the European Commission’s proposal to introduce an extraordinary profit contribution from companies in the energy sector.
Tiago Antunes released this final position of Portugal in the Assembly of the Republic, after the PAN deputy Inês Sousa Real accused the government of opposing the idea of the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, taxation of excessive profits or abuses by energy companies.
“There is a factual error in his intervention, Portugal supports the European Commission’s proposal to make an extraordinary contribution to the profits of fuel companies”replied the State Secretary for European Affairs.
According to Tiago Antunes, “this is the position that the Portuguese government will take on Friday at the extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council of the European Union”.
“Portugal is for and supports this measure. It is not against and has no resistance”emphasizes.
Last week, Prime Minister António Costa said in New York that Portugal will support the European Commission’s proposal to tax at least 33% on the extraordinary profits of energy companies.
“There is now a proposal from the European Commission, which will be presented to the… [Europeu]. Portugal will support the European Commission’s proposal”António Costa told journalists during Portugal’s permanent mission to the United Nations in New York.
The European Commission’s proposal, announced on September 14, provides for “a temporary solidarity contribution on excess profits generated by activities in the oil, gas, coal and refinery sectors” to be collected by Member States, with the proceeds “paid to the consumers is being channeled”.
The European Commission’s intention is to introduce an “applicable rate for the calculation of the temporary solidarity contribution of at least 33%” that “will apply in addition to the normal taxes and duties applicable in accordance with the national law of a Member State”.
Source: DN
