Italy extended a 17-cent-per-litre diesel tax discount through August 26 as fuel prices remained above two euros per litre. The government used additional VAT revenue to finance the short extension while opposition figures called for stronger measures such as taxing energy windfall profits. Fuel costs affect commuters, freight, tourism and household budgets almost immediately. The disagreement is whether governments should prioritize temporary price relief, targeted aid or structural energy measures. The issue therefore lends itself to a choice among competing responses to high fuel prices.