Polish lawmakers overwhelmingly approved initial readings of bills aimed at curbing rising fuel prices, potentially lowering taxes and setting price caps.
First Reading of Fuel Price Bills
The Sejm (Polish Parliament) held the first reading of two draft laws on Thursday evening designed to limit increases in fuel prices at stations. The proposals include reducing the VAT rate on fuels, the possibility of temporarily lowering excise duty, and introducing maximum prices for gasoline and diesel.
The bills were previously adopted by the government during an extraordinary session. They concern amendments to the excise duty act and, among others, the act on oil, petroleum product, and liquefied gas reserves.
Proposed Tax and Price Regulations
The proposed amendment to the excise duty act would lower the VAT rate on fuels from 23 percent to 8 percent. It would also allow the Minister of Finance and Economy to temporarily reduce the excise duty rate on fuels through regulation.
The second draft law aims to limit fuel price increases by introducing a maximum price. The Minister of Energy would announce the maximum price daily in a special communication, and it would take effect the following day.
Parliamentary Vote Results
396 MPs voted in favor of commencing the first reading of the bill on oil, petroleum product, and liquefied gas reserves, with 14 against and no abstentions. For the excise duty bill, 410 MPs voted in favor, with no opposition or abstentions.
The Speaker of the Sejm has referred both bills to the Public Finance Committee for further work.