In the midst of growing social unrest due to the unstoppable increase in the price of fuels in Portugal, the Government of António Costa has announced a tax cut it will have a limited impact on the pocket of the Portuguese.
The adjustment is limited to two euro cents per liter for gasoline and one cent for diesel and will begin to apply from today until next January 31, explained the Secretary of State for Fiscal Affairs, António Mendonça Mendes.
The measure is announced at a delicate moment for the Government, in trouble in its attempt to carry out the Budget for 2022 in a minority, and in a context of social unrest over fuel prices – gasoline touched 2 euros this week in Lisbon- and light.
A good part of the collection goes to the State because fuels have a tax burden that reaches 60%, and includes rates for carbon emission, taxes on petroleum products and contribution for road infrastructures – despite the fact that a large part of the network is paid.
The trend can be extended over time: "They will continue to rise and that will affect the world economy", has warned the Minister of Economy Luso Pedro Siza Vieira.
Although the fuel market in Portugal is free, on the 8th the Assembly of the Republic approved a law that opens little room for intervention to the Government.
Consumer discontent has reached social media with groups like "Strike against fuels", which adds 175,000 followers and defends a brake on consumption.
The escalation has made Spain an alternative for Portuguese users and thousands cross the border every day to fill their car tanks and save up to 30 euros on the Spanish side.
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