SaS Launches Petition Calling for Reduction of Excise Tax on Fuel

Bratislava, 6 May (TASR) - The opposition Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) party sees a solution to high fuel prices in Slovakia in reduction of excise tax and, therefore, it launched a petition on Wednesday, in which citizens should demand the government to do so. SaS claims that if Slovakia had the lowest prices among neighbouring countries, the tax cut would be offset by increased sales, which would also help public finances. According to SaS, this solution is better than Slovnaft exporting fuels abroad. "Low prices mean help for citizens, help for self-employed, help for the whole economy, and a reduction of inflation. At the same time, if the fuel is sold in Slovakia, then the government, of course, has excise tax and VAT revenues from it," explained MP Marian Viskupic (SaS). He is positive that if prices were low, everyone passing through Slovakia would refuel there, and citizens from neighbouring countries would come to refuel at lower prices as well. "Once there is a large number of signatures under the petition we launched today, we'll bring it again to the Government Office to point out that this government is doing nothing, that we have concrete solutions, that people have problems with refuelling and that people want lower fuel prices," said SaS leader Branislav Groehling. ko/mcs