The government is seeking to reduce fuel prices. Consumer protection State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig (SPÖ) announced on Wednesday after the cabinet meeting that the Price Commission will convene on Thursday in a new composition and will carry out a special review of developments in fuel prices. The SPÖ has long criticized the fact that falling prices on international crude oil markets are not being passed on to consumers at Austrian gas stations.
As Königsberger-Ludwig explained, the aim is to determine where along the chain—from international markets to local gas stations—the price increases are occurring. Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer (SPÖ) recently indicated that the government would take action if the higher prices cannot be justified.
