Fuel prices rise in Poland after the lifting of state price caps
Global geopolitical shocks rarely stay far away — they quickly reach everyday life, affecting prices, habits and the plans of ordinary people. When domestic support mechanisms weaken, it is the consumer who is first to feel the impact of global market turmoil.
Residents of Poland are feeling pressure at petrol stations after the government lifted fuel price caps and tax breaks from September 1, allowing prices to return to market levels at a time when geopolitical turmoil is pushing global oil markets higher.
Prices have been rising steadily since the "cheap fuel" programme ended. Residents say the price increase is affecting daily life and travel habits. "Prices are rising more and more in recent weeks, so we have to work harder and more than usual to afford it. Everything is more expensive now: both food and apartments. I usually ride a bicycle because driving a car is too expensive," said Agnieszka, a local resident.
As rising fuel prices affect transport costs and the overall cost of living, the Polish government is considering new measures to contain prices. However, economists warn that domestic policy has limited influence on global supply shocks, and that the priority now is to contain the spread of fuel price increases to other goods. "Firstly, there are two wars in the modern world.
One is the Ukrainian war, the second is the Iranian war. Both wars have a huge impact on the oil market. I think these two factors have a greater impact than any others. In the worst case, we will have to accept an oil price similar to that in, for example, Italy and Europe," said Polish economist Błażej Podgórski.
As reported by CCTV+, the lifting of fuel price caps in Poland has led to higher prices and pressure on consumers, forcing the government to seek new measures, but economists emphasise the limitations of domestic tools in the face of global supply shocks.
