Czech Premier Urges Fuel Retailers to Lower ‘Outrageous’ Prices

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis urged two of the largest fuel distributors in the country to immediately lower prices at gas stations after the Middle East conflict triggered a surge in oil.Author of the article:You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.(Bloomberg) — Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis urged two of the largest fuel distributors in the country to immediately lower prices at gas stations after the Middle East conflict triggered a surge in oil.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Local media have reported that prices for petrol and diesel in the Czech Republic have shown one of the biggest jumps in the European Union since the outbreak of the war in Iran. While several nations in central and eastern Europe have adopted measures to ease the impact of high oil costs on households and businesses, the Czech government has not taken any formal steps. The premier, a chemicals and agriculture billionaire who returned to power last year, said networks owned by Poland’s Orlen SA and Hungary’s Mol Nyrt. were charging “outrageous” prices at the pumps on Czech highways. The two energy groups control over 50% of the local market, he said.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.“I’m asking you not to abuse the current situation in supply of fuels caused by the Iran crisis,” Babis said in a video on his Facebook account. The government in neighboring Poland said Thursday it will reduce the value-added tax and excise levies on fuels as well as impose a cap on retail prices. But officials in Prague have said they won’t cut fuel taxes to ease the hit from energy shock, saying such a move wouldn’t guarantee lower retail prices.Orlen Unipetrol, the Czech unit of the Polish group, is operating in line with the law and its prices are set by the market, the CTK newswire reported, citing spokesman Pavel Kaidl.Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4© 2026 Financial Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized distribution, transmission or republication strictly prohibited.This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.You can manage saved articles in your account.and save up to 100 articles!You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.