End of CPN and a sharp increase in fuel prices. Stations are around one zloty more expensive overnight

The effects of the program’s end are clearly visible. At local stations, fuel prices rose overnight by around PLN 1 per liter. At the Orlen station on Zgorzelecka Street, Pb95 gasoline currently costs PLN 7.64/l, Pb98 – PLN 8.49/l, while diesel costs PLN 8.39/l (premium PLN 8.59/l). LPG costs PLN 3.09/l.

At the Amic station by Solidarności roundabout, prices are almost identical (LPG is the exception): Pb95 gasoline currently costs PLN 7.64/l, Pb98 – PLN 8.49/l, while diesel costs PLN 8.39/l (premium PLN 8.59/l). LPG costs PLN 3.07/l.

For drivers, this means the end of the holiday relief at fuel stations. Filling up a car is clearly more expensive, and with a larger tank, the difference in the cost of a single fill-up can amount to several dozen zlotys.

Opposition attacks the government

Opposition politicians, particularly those from PiS, argue that the government of Donald Tusk is responsible for the high prices. Przemysław Czarnek had previously accused the government of delaying measures intended to lower fuel prices and claimed that the delay cost drivers around PLN 2 billion. PiS politicians also pointed out that the government reacted too late to rising prices.

The opposition also criticized the decision to end the CPN program. In its view, since the measure made it possible to lower prices at stations, it should have remained in place longer.

Coalition responds: the government did not decide to end the program

Politicians from the ruling coalition, however, present a completely different version of events. Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański argues that continued funding of the program was supposed to be linked, among other things, to legislation concerning windfall profits of fuel companies.

According to the government, the problem was President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to refer legislation concerning a tax on the windfall profits of fuel companies to the Constitutional Tribunal. Domański claims that in doing so, the president made further funding of the CPN program impossible.

The president and his advisers reject these accusations. They argue that the decision concerning the legislation was intended to protect the principles of competition as well as consumers and entrepreneurs, not the interests of fuel companies.

Political battle over prices at the pumps

As a result, drivers are seeing not only a sharp increase in prices today, but also a political dispute over responsibility for the situation.

The government points to the president and the lack of possibilities for financing the program. The opposition responds that the government is responsible for tax policy and should do more to protect drivers from price increases.

Will prices remain at their current level? This has not yet been decided. Further changes will be influenced, among other things, by oil prices on global markets and the geopolitical situation.