Government to maintain fuels cap!

The government has decided to maintain the cap on the price of petrol, the prime minister’s chief of staff said late on Thursday.

Gergely Gulyás said the government measures, including a cap on interest paid on loans, utility bills, and the price of several basic foods, were aimed at reining in inflation and protecting families from the impact of rising energy prices. Gulyás dismissed allegations that the government was unable to maintain the fuels cap or that fuel supplies were in jeopardy, saying supplies were continuous, though “there are difficulties in some places due to increased demand”.

Oil and gas company MOL is able to meet all domestic demand through its refinery in Százhalombatta,

south of Budapest, he said. The has government passed three decrees to ensure maintenance of the fuel cap which took effect on Thursday evening.

According to the decrees, vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes with foreign number plates will pay market prices at high pressure pumps.

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A price cap of 480 forints per litre will continue to apply to motorists filling up passenger cars and vehicles under 7.5 tonnes, as well as operators of farm machinery, he added.

The changes may cause queues at high-pressure pumps, and the government has ordered

the usual weekend lorry ban to be extended for the March 15 national holiday,

lasting from 10pm on Friday until 10pm on Tuesday.