Tusk dispelled drivers’ illusions. “We can’t keep putting…”

Just two weeks after the expiration of the Lower Fuel Prices (CPN) package, questions arose about the possibility of its reactivation. This is related to the American attacks on Iran, which caused an increase in oil prices.

Tusk on the reactivation of the CPN

Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented a clear position on this matter on Friday. – We announced in advance that for obvious reasons – this is a lot of money – we will be able to subsidize fuel prices from the state budget for some time. We cannot decide on full protection without being sure what the situation in the Middle East will look like, what President Trump’s decisions will look like – said the head of government during a press briefing.

– We cannot continue to provide money for this from the state budget indefinitely. We have also managed to survive for a long time, maintaining the lowest fuel prices in Europe, but this budget endurance also has its limits – he added.

Let us remind you that the CPN package operated for three months – from the end of March to the end of June this year. Its cost was estimated at approximately PLN 4.7 billion.

As part of the package, the VAT rate on fuel dropped from 23 to 8 percent, and excise duty was reduced by 29 groszy for a liter of gasoline and 28 groszy for diesel oil, i.e. to the lowest level allowed by the European Union.

Not all gas stations followed the rules

An important element of CPN was also the introduction of price limits at gas stations. Every day, the Ministry of Energy published maximum rates for diesel fuel, as well as Pb95 and Pb98 unleaded gasoline. The regulations obliged fuel sellers to charge prices no higher than the announced limits. Exceeding the maximum price was punishable by a fine of up to PLN 1 million. Inspections in this respect were carried out by the National Tax Administration (KAS).

Despite the threat of high fines, many gas stations sold fuel at a higher price. Data provided to “Wprost” by the Ministry of Finance show that in the period March 31-June 30, KAS carried out 11,226 inspections. Irregularities were found at 692 gas stations. However, only one has been punished so far.