Dual diesel prices have begun to apply in Slovakia. It is more expensive for drivers with foreign license plates. Since last week, there have also been volume and financial restrictions on diesel. The government is so far satisfied with its own steps to solve the oil crisis and assures that they will only apply temporarily. Coalition representatives claim that thanks to these decisions, our country has the lowest diesel price in the region. According to Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer-SD), by introducing dual prices, they have prevented foreign drivers from buying up fuel. However, Slovaks are complaining about the high consumption tax and the opposition points out that not all the credit goes to the Slovak government.
The European Union considers diesel prices doubling discriminatory. Slovakia could face the threat of infringement proceedings. However, the government is not concerned for now, as it says the measures will only be in effect for a month. Matúš Šutaj Eštok, the Interior Minister (Hlas-SD), responds: “Every single country is trying to respond to the conflict in the Middle East with concrete measures. In our case, the proposal was that if the European Commission finally comes up with some economic solutions, we will be happy to have them guide us toward some other solution.”
Viliam Karas (KDH) agrees with the government on this point, but stresses that the relatively low fuel prices are not the result of its policies. „It is necessary to clarify why prices are at this level. Slovak customers can thank the Hungarian elections for the fact that Moll is keeping prices low until the elections in Hungary,” said Karas.
Tomáš Valášek (PS) suggests another solution that could also benefit road hauliers: "Finally, collect the tax that the Slovnaft refinery owes. That’s only 400 million, if I’m not mistaken; by 2023, in my opinion, it will have accumulated much more, and then subsequently reduce the excise tax and the value-added tax by that amount — which, by the way, is the highest in the region when you add them up."
Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický (Smer SD) says the measures are sufficient. “Given the prices we have secured, which we currently have, there is no need to take any additional measures,” he added. At the same time, Minister admitted that the government cannot guarantee the 30-day duration of the measures, as oil prices depend on developments in Ukraine or Iran.
Source: STVR
