Why have fuel prices in Poland risen so sharply? Donald Tusk said that “it’s not that Donald who is to blame.” The obvious suggestion is that he meant the war in Iran, and that it was Donald Trump who made the decision to launch the attack.
Indeed, within several dozen hours after the strike, oil prices on global exchanges almost doubled. However, such a large increase lasted only a very short time. Trump’s announcement that he would release strategic reserves caused prices on the markets to fall. Yet neither of these developments should have had any impact on fuel prices in Poland.
Most oil prices are contracted many months in advance, and those that are not ordered will arrive only after many weeks. So what has actually become more expensive? Orlen’s wholesale margin—and with it the VAT calculated on top of that margin. Orlen has profited, and the state budget has profited as well.
Current prices are expected to fall because Orlen has lowered its margin, but not the wholesale margin—only the retail margin for filling stations. This hits hard those who buy fuel from Orlen in wholesale quantities. Tusk and the Orlen subordinated to him are improving their financial condition first at the expense of retail customers—meaning all of us—and now at the expense of station owners.
But the blame lies with that Donald. Never this one.