Will the government provide relief for drivers? There is an idea for a “new” CPN
Although the government is not eager to reactivate the CPN package, coalition politicians point out that there are other tools that will provide relief to those who refuel.
Only two weeks have passed since the expiration of the Lower Fuel Prices (CPN) package, and there are already voices that it should be reactivated. This is related to the American attacks on Iran, which caused an increase in oil prices.
Will the government revive CPN?
Energy Minister Miłosz Motyka is cautious about reviving the package. – I have a specific plan, but we don’t use it today. Donald Trump now says there is no war, but there are isolated attacks, so the coming weeks will be decisive – said the head of the Ministry of Energy in an interview for TVN24.
As today’s “Dziennik Gazeta Prawna” writes, the possible return of CPN would not depend solely on the Ministry of Energy. The consent of the Ministry of Finance and the entire Council of Ministers would be required. There is no certainty within the coalition itself whether the full package should be recreated in the event of another price jump.
– The CPN package passed the test, but there are also other fiscal tools that can be used to give citizens relief – Jakub Stefaniak, deputy head of the Prime Minister’s Office and PSL politician, tells the newspaper.
Stefaniak confirms that several scenarios are being analyzed. However, he does not want to indicate specific instruments. As he explains, the matter is so sensitive that any too early declaration could cause complications.
– The situation is being monitored and various scenarios are being considered. If there is an opportunity to give a break to those who refuel and use transport, we will definitely do it – says the deputy head of the Prime Minister’s Office.
As the daily writes, the government has a plan in case of a further increase in oil prices, but its implementation will depend on whether this increase turns out to be a momentary nervous movement of the market or another episode of a longer crisis.
The newspaper indicates that the most tempting option for the government would be an indirect variant, without recreating the entire program, but using selected fiscal mechanisms that would at least partially absorb the increases. However, it is difficult to say whether it would involve VAT, excise duty, fuel surcharge or another solution.
Let us recall that as part of the package, the VAT rate on fuel dropped from 23 to 8 percent, and excise duty was reduced by 29 groszy in the case of a liter of gasoline and 28 groszy in the case of diesel oil, i.e. to the lowest level allowed by the European Union. An important element of CPN was also the introduction of price limits at gas stations.
