Poland could reintroduce fuel price controls in the final two weeks of August if fuel prices remain volatile, Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Monday. The move would coincide with the return of millions of Poles from their summer holidays.
The government had introduced temporary fuel price caps in March to shield consumers from soaring energy costs triggered by the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Those measures expired at the end of last month after oil and gas prices briefly stabilised.
However, renewed price increases linked to the prolonged Middle East conflict have prompted Warsaw to reconsider intervention. Tusk said he would discuss the proposal with the finance minister as early as Monday.
The prime minister said regulated fuel prices could be restored if market conditions worsen, aiming to protect households from another spike in transport costs during the holiday travel period.
Separately, the ruling coalition had proposed a windfall tax on oil and gas companies benefiting from higher profit margins during the supply shock. The measure, expected to raise 4 billion zlotys (£1.06 billion equivalent), has not taken effect after President Karol Nawrocki referred it to the Constitutional Tribunal.