Fuel prices have put Europe under pressure. To deal with the crisis, countries have responded with a package of measures - from tax breaks to fueling limits and intervention in pump prices.
In our country, the approach remains more limited for now. According to energy expert Martin Vladimirov, the measure in Bulgaria is aimed at vulnerable groups, instead of a general subsidy for all drivers.
“It has only one measure that is currently being implemented, namely the direct distribution of aid to vulnerable groups, which can help with their fuel consumption by 20 euros“, commented Vladimirov, quoted by Nova TV.
This is also a more budget-friendly option because it does not encourage additional consumption, he added.
“The opinion of the Center for the Study of Democracy has always been over the years that it is not good to give energy subsidies to the poor. This does not reflect in lower prices for end customers, but on the contrary - prices increase and companies receive subsidies“, explained the energy expert.
In other countries, however, the intervention is much more visible. In Hungary, the state has capped fuel prices for local drivers.
Hungarian-registered cars are refueled at fixed prices, while others pay the market price. Now the pressure is back on inventory and deliveries.
At small gas stations, some customers can refuel up to 30 liters per day.
In Slovenia, the measures are even more serious. The reason is fuel tourism from neighboring countries. According to the new measure, customers with private cars will be able to receive no more than 50 liters per day, and for companies the limit will be 200 liters.
The country has the lowest fuel prices of neighboring countries, but this also leads to an increase in demand.
In Spain, there are no limits imposed, but lower taxes. The government has reduced fuel taxes from 21% to 10%, which could lower the price by up to 30 cents per liter.
In addition, there is a subsidy of 20 cents per liter for the transport and agricultural sectors. This is one of the most direct interventions of the state in the final price of the pump.
In Poland, a ceiling is set for fuel prices every day. The government has lowered the excise duty to the European minimum levels and reduced fuel taxes from 23% to 8%.
The expected effect is a decrease in price by approximately 28 euro cents.
In Germany, they do not subsidize prices, but try to limit sudden movements. Since the beginning of April, gas stations can only raise prices once a day, and violations can lead to fines of up to 100 thousand euros.
The goal is not so much to make fuel cheaper, but to make the market more predictable for drivers and businesses.
The situation in France seems to be the worst at this stage. There is already a shortage in nearly a fifth of gas stations, and in some chains there is practically no fuel.
At the same time, gas stations keep their prices below those on the market, which further crowds drivers at their sites.
The French government has announced over 70 million euros in aid for transport, agriculture and fishing, but the problem there is no longer just about the price.
In countries outside the European Union, such as Serbia, the measures are similar – setting a price ceiling every week and temporarily reducing excise duties on gasoline and diesel.
Some people accept the price increase as expected in the context of an international crisis, while others say that fuel is already unaffordable for businesses and households.
Against this background, according to Martin Vladimirov, imposing a price ceiling does not lead to results.
“It is not good to interfere in market relations, that is, to limit the revenues of some entities compared to others. A price ceiling is the worst step that a government can impose. This way we can cause a shortage“, he believes.
Bulgaria remains the country with the lowest fuel prices, but with the most stable supplies. For now, a decline in the fuel market is not expected. Experts predict that prices will remain stable.