​Prime Minister Marcel Cholaku said on Monday, when asked if the re-introduction of the 50 baht fuel price compensation is being considered, given that petrol has reached 7.5 lei per liter, that there will be a discussion in the government to see why the price has increased. He noted that our country has the second lowest price for fuel in Europe, and the price increase is not so great, excise taxes are reported for 2018.

• “I will discuss why the price has increased. I understand that the trunk has increased again. After the war it is very easy to influence, but I want to tell you one thing – you know that we have the second lowest price in Europe. I think Bulgaria has 0.1 less than Romania.
• So this is a price increase that is seen all over the world and all over Europe. Let’s try to keep it on the schedule. We also know that the price of fuel throughout the chain ultimately leads to higher prices. It’s not that big of a raise.
• We have blocked the excise tax for 2018. So the Romanian state now takes the lowest excise tax in Europe to keep inflation in the single digits, as we have been able to do.” This was announced by Prime Minister Marcel Cholaku on Monday, News.ro cites.

The head of the executive power also noted that he sees that the price of diesel fuel has risen.

• “That’s normal too. As far as I know, diesel is usually used in war,” added Cholaku.

How much is gasoline and diesel fuel in Romania now?

According to Peco-online.ro, on September 10, 2023, the average price of a liter of gasoline reached 7.21 lei.

Compared to last month, the average price of a liter of gasoline increased by 2.7%, that is, a full tank (50 liters) today costs 9.5 lei more than 30 days ago.

In the case of diesel fuel, the average price of one liter reached 7.5 lei, which is 3.9% more than last month, i.e. a full tank (50 liters) is now 14 lei more expensive.

What were the prices when fuel price compensation was introduced?

Chuke’s government introduced compensation in the amount of 50 money per liter of gasoline and diesel fuel on July 1, 2022, is a voluntary measure financed equally by the state budget and gas station operators.

The measure, which was initially adopted for three months, was extended until December 31 in September.

• The average price of a liter of gasoline was 8.65 lei on June 30, 2022, and fell to 8.17 lei on July 1, the first day the fuel compensation of 50 lei was introduced, according to Peco-online.ro.
• The average price of a liter of diesel fuel was 9.22 lei on June 30, 2022 and decreased to 8.73 lei on July 1, 2022.

At the end of December 2022then-Prime Minister Nicolae Chuke announced that the fuel price compensation measure of 50 bani would no longer apply from 1 January 2023, but could be reinstated under certain conditions.

• “Fuel price compensation, if at first it seemed that it would not have an effect, we believe that it was a good measure. We inform you that from January 1, it will no longer work. To the extent that prices will change, exceeding the purchasing power of citizens, we will apply it again,” Chuke said at the time.

In late January 2023, government sources said the government was considering re-introducing the 50p fuel compensation scheme when prices reached the level at which it was decided last time.

At the end of the cabinet meeting, then finance minister Adrian Cachiu said the state would intervene if necessary, but he did not want to set a ceiling and false expectations.