Budget talks are expected to enter their final stages this weekend. In the run-up to the elections, this is traditionally accompanied by many (unrealistic) ideas and proposals to grant favors to the voter and, in particular, to have the sectors and companies contribute. Policymakers often forget that ill-considered measures to boost a budget will sooner or later come back in their faces. Look at the excess profit tax on energy companies, which yields 350 million euros less than expected and puts pressure on the stability of energy companies.