According to the website holtankoljak.hu, the average price of a liter of 95 octane gasoline in Hungary is 649 forints (41.64 crowns) and a liter of diesel is 639.80 forints (41.05 crowns).
Minister for Economic Development Márton Nagy stated that the mentioned two weeks should be used by the sellers to adapt the average fuel prices to the average prices in the Central European region. “In two weeks, the government will return to this issue, look at price developments and come up with tough measures if fuel sellers do not return to the regional average,” Nagy said, according to the Népszava daily’s website.
According to Nagy, compared to other Central European countries, gasoline in Hungary is more expensive by 27 forints (1.70 crowns) and diesel by 10 forints (64 pennies). For example, in the Czech Republic, the price of a liter of petrol is now 40.4 crowns, a liter of diesel costs 39.2 crowns on average.
Hungary’s central bank said on Tuesday, according to Reuters, that fuel price margins have increased since the cap was lifted, exceeding not only their previous level but also the average level in other central European countries. According to the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Barnabás Virág, any government intervention is therefore justified.
Orbán’s government introduced a price cap on petrol and diesel in November 2021 due to high inflation. The price was regulated at the level of 480 forints (30.77 crowns) per liter. However, after a year of regulation, the oil company MOL reported fuel shortages at gas stations and the government lifted the regulation. Sellers preferred to transport fuel to other countries, where they received more money for it.
Hungarians filled the pumps in neighboring countries after Orbán’s experiment
Economy
