Poland’s Prime Minister Highlights Lower Fuel Prices, Sparking Debate Over Political Motivation
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has recently focused attention on falling fuel prices, a move that has ignited a political back-and-forth with opposition figures and prompted scrutiny of pricing practices across the country. The renewed focus comes after Tusk made a campaign promise in 2023 to lower fuel costs to PLN 5.19 per liter, a pledge frequently referenced by critics.
On Monday, the Prime Minister shared a price comparison showing gasoline at PLN 6.78 on December 22, 2022, versus PLN 5.18 on December 22 of this year. “Can I owe you a penny?” he remarked ironically, highlighting the price decrease. This was followed on Tuesday, December 23, with a photograph from a gas station in Lubieszyn, displaying a price of PLN 5.14, after supporters questioned the initial comparison.
The attention drawn to Lubieszyn prompted a visit from “Fakt” newspaper, which confirmed the lower price. According to their reporting on December 23, fuel at the station was indeed selling for PLN 5.14, compared to PLN 5.76 at a station of the same company in Szczecin.
Local residents interviewed at the Lubieszyn station offered varied perspectives. One driver, a 55-year-old man from Szczecin, stated, “This fuel price is very satisfactory for me. I have no idea whether these prices were deliberately lowered so that the Prime Minister could boast about them, but I saw similar ones at other gas stations in Lubieszyn.” Another resident of the area, a 39-year-old woman from Dobra, noted, “I live in the area, but I came here because I saw the tempting price of fuel. I fill up here at least once a week because fuel prices at this station are lower than at others.” A 39-year-old man from Police added, “I drove to this station because on my way back from work I saw this attractive fuel price and decided to fill up…Perhaps they lowered the prices so that the Prime Minister could boast about it, but I don’t know what they have in mind.”
Nationally, the average price of unleaded 95 gasoline in Poland was PLN 5.66 on December 23, as reported by autocentrum.pl. The discrepancy between regional prices and the national average raises questions about market dynamics and potential localized pricing strategies.
The political maneuvering surrounding fuel prices comes amidst other developments, including a visit by former PKN Orlen CEO Obajtek to the PiS headquarters with an undisclosed item, and ongoing shifts within the Polish political landscape, such as Zajączkowska-Hernik’s recent departure from a party position following a decision by Mentzen.
The focus on fuel prices underscores the continued importance of this issue for Polish voters and the potential for political gain through highlighting affordability. The situation in Lubieszyn, while seemingly offering lower prices, has become a focal point in a broader debate about economic policy and political messaging.
