The proposal by Energy Minister Tinne Van der Straeten to tackle excess profits in the energy sector is not feasible, said Finance Minister Vincent Van Peteghem – not even a day after it was announced.
According to Van Peteghem, experts – consulted by his cabinet – believe that Van der Straeten's idea for a one-off crisis contribution of 25% on excess profits is "technically and legally unfeasible," and that she would do better to increase the distribution contribution.
"We are certainly in favour of the principle, but it simply cannot be done through taxation. Everyone agrees on that," he said.
While Van der Straeten said on Tuesday that she was currently working out the details with Van Peteghem, the latter said later that same day that his cabinet had already communicated his position during consultations.
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"There will be technical consultations on Thursday, but her cabinet has already been briefed on the opinions. So the cabinet knows the content," said Van Peteghem's cabinet.
According to Van der Straeten, the path of the repartition contribution (nuclear tax) is impossible to implement, because the government is "bound hand and foot" by the contractual provisions that the previous government concluded with Engie/Electrabel, the operator of the nuclear power plants.
"Otherwise, we expose ourselves to claims for damages," she said, adding that Italy, the UK and Spain have already implemented a similar taxation system.
