Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Austria are calling for a European tax on the exceptional profits of energy companies to help consumers.

Five states from the European Union, namely Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Austria, have called for the introduction of a European-level tax on the exceptional profits of energy companies, according to a letter addressed to the European Commission.

Finance ministers argue that this measure could finance aid for consumers and help temper inflation without putting additional pressure on national budgets. The document emphasizes that those who benefit from the consequences of the war should contribute to reducing the burden on citizens, highlighting the need for a signal of unity at the European level. The initiative comes in the context of a new energy crisis, with European gas prices rising by over 70% since the end of February.

The European Commission is analyzing the proposal but has not provided details about the level of the tax or the companies targeted.

Representatives of the energy sector contest the idea of 'unjustified' profit, emphasizing that the priority should be to maintain supply.

In Romania, a similar tax is already in place, applied to the exceptional profits generated by rising prices, with estimated revenues of 90-100 million lei per month to support the population.