Eni's cap on petrol and diesel prices is a smart move: it provides relief to consumers and removes the need for a tax on extra profits.

Hats off. The CEO's stroke of geniusEni, Claudio Descalzi, with the introduction of a voluntary ceiling on price of gasoline and diesel is a smart move. It must have been the result of moral suasion by the Prime Minister. Giorgia MeloniMaybe, and it's certainly a move that pleases the government because it offers relief to motorists and doesn't waste public money. But a decision isn't right or wrong simply because the government likes it or not. First of all, the fuel price cap is bound to please consumers. That's a fact. Second, the move doesn't waste public money needlessly, and that's also a fact. Furthermore, it will be interesting to see how the market and other oil companies react. Will they follow Eni's example or not? It's too early to say, but if they follow Eni's model, the continued price hikes across the entire sector will be curbed, and that too could become a reality. If Eni—which, let's not forget, is a publicly controlled group—remains an isolated case, its revenues will soar. Finally, there's another aspect of Descalzi's move that shouldn't be overlooked: faced with a voluntary fuel price cap, what government would have the courage to levy a tax on the oil companies' so-called extra profits resulting from tensions in the Middle East? Probably no one. Of course, it's an effect that may or may not please, but there's no denying that Eni's CEO's decision was astute.