03/06/2026 (Agence Europe) – The ambassadors of the Member States to the European Union (Coreper) were due, on Wednesday 3 June, to approve without debate Sweden’s request to apply, for a five-month period, reduced excise duty rates on gas oil and unleaded petrol used as motor fuels, 2.4 SEK (€0.22) below the European minimum rates laid out in European legislation (Directive 2003/96/EC). “In view of the exceptional and urgent nature of the current [geopolitical] situation, it is necessary to provide for specific and time‑limited flexibilities explicitly aimed at alleviating the impact of the energy price shock”, states the Council of the EU in its draft decision. It also notes that untargeted tax reductions imply “significant fiscal costs” and “tend to increase fossil fuel demand for fossil”. To see the draft decision: https://aeur.eu/f/m63 (MB)