The government took three measures in the case of the petrol panic.
Gergely Gulyás held Government Information at an extraordinary time, on Thursday at 21:30. In addition to the minister in charge of the Prime Minister's Office, Zsolt Hernádi Mol, president and CEO, was also present.
Gergely Gulyás stated at the beginning of Kormányinfo that the government is sticking to the gasoline price cap, that the recovery from the coronavirus and the Russian-Ukrainian war have increased inflation all over the world, and several measures have been taken to reduce it:
food price freeze, interest rate freeze, gasoline price freeze, and reserved utility reduction.
The minister explained: gasoline and diesel are more than HUF 200 more expensive in Europe than in Hungary. He refuted the "baseless rumours" that they do not want or cannot maintain the gas price freeze, as well as the fact that the supply has been threatened as untrue.
"Sometimes there are difficulties due to the increased demand, but Mol is able to supply the entire Hungarian market"
- he said, at the same time fuel consumption increased significantly due to gasoline tourism and increasing transit traffic, as well as panic. Therefore, three decisions were made:
Cars and trucks over 7.5 tons, and trucks with foreign license plates over 3.5 tons can only be refueled at high-pressure wells, where diesel has a market price. Agricultural power machines are an exception, with the price of HUF 480 per liter remaining.
The government is reducing the excise tax on fuels by HUF 20.
The government has instructed the police to initiate proceedings against those who provide information about the interruption of the supply in every case where a crime is committed due to spreading scaremongering. Proceedings can also be initiated against those who fill gasoline into containers that are not suitable for transport.
The decree will come into effect at 10:00 tonight, and a truck stop will be ordered for the festive period.
Zsolt Hernádi: There is enough stock for everything
Zsolt Hernádi, the president and CEO of Mol, said that nothing has changed compared to the company's announcement on Wednesday.
Mol's refineries operate without disturbance, at full capacity in Százhalombatta, and the supply is smooth.
The Adriatic crude oil pipeline is also ready in case of any problems. This means that we are ready, Mol has enough stock and capacity to cover the entire consumption in Hungary. This is the case even if we see amazing movements in the exchange rate of the forint."
Hernádi added: the traffic at filling stations has increased drastically in recent days. If abusive use and gasoline tourism continue to increase, it is conceivable that additional measures are needed, said Zsolt Hernádi.
