Diesel at 229 Lekë a Liter! Bozdo: The Government Takes 55% of the Price — Scrap the Circulation Tax, Cut the Excise Duty

Democratic Party MP Enno Bozdo commented on the rise in fuel prices in Albania during the “Minuta e Parë” show on News24 with host Ola Bruko. Bozdo called for state intervention to lower the price of diesel, proposing the removal of the circulation tax and a reduction of the excise duty. According to the Democratic lawmaker, such measures are necessary to protect the productive economy, especially at a time when the international situation remains uncertain and it is unknown how long the conflicts affecting energy markets will last.

Bozdo also criticized the Transparency Board, saying the mechanism has not delivered the expected effect in controlling fuel prices. He cited as an example the earlier period of price increases, when diesel rose above 220 lekë per liter. According to him, the price increase also brought additional revenue to the state budget. Bozdo said he had previously proposed a model similar to the Italian one, and mentioned measures taken by other European countries to ease the burden on citizens facing rising fuel costs.

According to him, Albania ranks among the countries with the most expensive diesel in the world and in Europe, while the price, he said, should be around 1.7 euros per liter, in line with the countries of the region.

“Nothing more than the other countries of the region, or of Europe. For the elimination of the circulation tax and the reduction of the excise duty. It is essential. It is not for nothing that other countries take such measures. This deals a blow to the productive economy. Then we have a conflict whose duration and course we do not know. We cannot respond to this situation. I think the Transparency Board has done more harm than good. In the fuel price we pay, taxes make up 53–55% of the total price. With the earlier crisis, when the price exceeded 220 lekë per liter, due to the price increase the Albanian government collected and put into its coffers 15 million euros more. That was solely the result of the price increase, not of any merit. I was the initiator and proposed the Italian model. The Belgian government, with the rise in fuel prices, has begun distributing bonuses. We are entering the top 10 most expensive in the world and the top 5 most expensive in Europe. Rising fuel hits even those who do not use a car — eggs and vegetables will reach consumers more expensively. 42% of income goes to food. The price of diesel should be 1.7 euros, like the countries of the region,” the Democrat said.

Bozdo warned that more expensive fuel does not affect only drivers but has consequences across the economy. According to him, higher transport costs are also reflected in food prices, bringing a greater burden on families. “Rising fuel hits even those who do not use a car. Eggs and vegetables will reach consumers more expensively. 42% of income goes to food,” the Democratic MP said. Asked whether rising fuel prices could have a knock-on effect on the economy, Bozdo answered affirmatively. He stressed that the situation is difficult to predict due to geopolitical developments and uncertainty over how long the conflicts will last. “Of course. We do not have a geopolitical situation that offers clarity. It is unknown how long these conflicts will be,” Bozdo said.