The minister announced that prices must revert to the regional average within two weeks given to traders; otherwise, intervention will occur.

Fuel prices have long been a topic of debate in public life.

- On April 8, in response to questions from Index, the Minister of National Economy stated that he had summoned MOL leaders due to fuel prices deviating upward from the regional average, contrary to previous agreements.

- Then, on April 11, a meeting was held where representatives from the Hungarian Petroleum Association and MOL were urged by Márton Nagy to ensure that, fulfilling the previous agreement, fuel prices should align with the regional average as soon as possible.

- April 19 marked a turning point, as the Central Statistical Office (KSH) published data on the regional fuel market for the first time, including Hungarian petrol and diesel prices. The report stated that the average price of gasoline in Hungary was 3.2% and diesel was 5% higher than the regional average.

- Thus, that day, we inquired with Márton Nagy about the cabinet's potential steps. He highlighted that intervening in fuel prices following the government meeting today was not excluded.

- By Tuesday, following questions from Index, it became clear: Márton Nagy recommends that the government should intervene in fuel prices.

- It's important to note, positions opposing the government emphasized that if the government decides to intervene, it could be achieved through tax reduction. (However, Márton Nagy immediately responded to these statements, and later, Finance Minister Mihály Varga also posted about it.)

GOVERNMENT TO INTERVENE IN FUEL PRICES

On Wednesday, the Minister of National Economy made an announcement concerning fuel prices. Márton Nagy explained that there is an agreement between the government and the Hungarian Petroleum Association that domestic fuel prices should align with regional average prices. To enforce this agreement, the government urges fuel traders to voluntarily adjust their prices to the regional average.

This means that for primarily two types of fuel, unleaded 95 petrol and diesel, prices need to revert to the regional average.

Márton Nagy also mentioned that despite the reduction in fuel prices, diesel prices are still 10 forints, and petrol prices 27 forints higher than the regional average. For the protection of families, the government once again strongly requests traders to match the regional prices in the shortest possible time. If this does not happen, the government will reconsider the use of regulatory tools and take action.

The government has given fuel traders two weeks to return to the regional average. In two weeks, the government will revisit this issue, examine the price developments, and will intervene using strong measures if traders do not revert to the regional average prices.

OBJECTIVE PRICING DETERMINATION

To ensure the government's agreement with the Hungarian Petroleum Association is upheld, meaning that Hungarian fuel prices do not diverge from the regional average, the government calls on fuel traders – including MOL and other members of the Hungarian Petroleum Association – to voluntarily align their prices with the regional average.

The Central Statistical Office publishes the objectively determined regional prices every Friday at 8:30 AM. The first publication took place last Friday morning, and the industry's adjustment can already be seen, as MOL has reduced fuel prices several times this week.

Accordingly, diesel prices will decrease from 647 forints to 633 forints in total by Friday, while gasoline prices will drop from 650 forints to 647 forints. The government has determined that this is a favorable shift, but it is still not sufficient as the newly established fuel prices remain higher than the regional average.

The new prices announced last Friday still show a difference of +10 forints for diesel and +27 forints for gasoline compared to the regional average.

For the protection of families, the government once again strongly urges every fuel trader in Hungary to reduce their prices for both diesel and gasoline to the level of the regional average in the shortest possible time. Should this not occur, the government will once again discuss the possibility of introducing regulatory measures.