The European Commission is preparing a package of measures to alleviate the effects caused by the war in Iran. As reported by the newspaper El País, the document that Brussels is preparing and of which a draft already exists, proposes as measures a day of mandatory teleworking, lowering the price of fuel or closing public buildings “when possible.”
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to present this document to the 27 leaders of the member states over the next week. In this way, these measures would be implemented immediately, especially those that affect citizens, companies and transportation.
The objective of these measures is clear: to reduce daily trips and fuel consumption, which is what is most affected by the conflict. By closing public buildings, the Commission intends to reduce energy expenditure – it would not be the first time it has been implemented.
Measures aimed at helping vulnerable groups and companies
To do this, the objective is to encourage the use of public transport. To achieve this, the Commission wants member states to reduce the price of public transport or make it free for some groups. It should be noted that fuel prices have increased by more than 50% and gas prices by almost 85%.
The measures are intended, above all, to protect vulnerable groups. For this reason, Brussels is going to propose to the States measures such as energy vouchers for vulnerable homes, regulated prices for low-income homes or reducing taxes on low-income households.
The measures will be the basis for future crises
For companies, those that belong to sectors such as industry or agriculture, Brussels proposes aid of up to 50% of the extra energy cost, installing solar panels or eliminating heating systems based on fossil fuels.
With this package of measures, the commission aims to promote a “clean, abundant, environmentally productive” energy system and that these decisions involve how to face a next crisis, whether “with fragility or strength”, according to the text of the draft.
