Govt studies gas aid amid party clamour

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 29 - The Italian government is studying more moves to help households and businesses with spiralling energy hikes amid a Russian gas squeeze and as political parties clamour for rapid action.
    The measures are being considered as gas and electricity prices in Italy continue to rise and Mario Draghi's government is also raising efforts to secure an EU-wide gas price cap.
    Gas prices in Amsterdam were just below 300 euros per MWh Monday while electrical power prices in Italy rose above 740 euros per MWh Monday.
    The government has begun an initial round of consultations aimed at raking in the funds to be used for fresh aid to households and businesses, sources said Monday.
    It will be hard, they said, because the government has already made a heavy intervention of over 14 billion euros with its second aid package for the energy crisis last month.
    And government sources have ruled out a budget adjustment to get the necessary funds.
    Meanwhile Matteo Salvini's rightwing League party called for an "armistice" during the September 25 general election campaign to frame new moves on rocketing electricity and gas prices.
    Centrist 'third pole' leader Carlo Calenda has already called for an electoral "pax" to help Draghi to get the necessary funds for fresh aid.
    "We need an electoral armistice, without stopping the election campaign," Salvini said on the stump in Calabria.
    He said a zoom call would be enough to "find a common solution".
    Salvini said Italy should emulate France and put a 4% cap on power bill hikes.
    "We have quantified at 30 billion euros an urgent and necessary intervention to stop the electricity and gas bill hikes now without triggering European sanctions", Salvini said.
    He said his allies, far right Brothers of Italy (FdI) leader Giorgia Meloni and centre right three-time ex-premier and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi, would "certainly agree" with the move.
    Azione (Action) party Calenda reacted by saying "Just as well, at least one (leader) has arrived".
    Populist and left-leaning 5-Star Movement leader and ex-premier Giuseppe Conte has long been calling for inter-party talks on the energy squeeze, M5S sources said.
    Centre-left Democratic Party (PD) leader Enrico Letta said Draghi's measures "should be the most determined and prompt both at a national and a European level".
    Former central banker Draghi has secured a pledge from the EU to discuss a gas price cap next month. (ANSA).