Slovenia has become the first EU member state to implement fuel rationing, to cope with the crisis caused by US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran's response by striking its neighbors in the Persian Gulf - most of them major players in global energy markets, reports. "BBC".
Many countries have experienced large increases in fuel prices.
In Slovenia, this has led to so-called "fuel tourism", as drivers from neighboring countries, especially Austria, have traveled and filled up their cars with fuel in Slovenia, to take advantage of the cheaper prices.
Under the new measures, private drivers in Slovenia will be limited to a maximum purchase of 50 liters of fuel per day. Businesses and farmers have a higher limit of 200 liters.
Some fuel retailers have already imposed their own measures. Hungarian company MOL, which operates gas stations across the region, has set a limit of 30 liters.
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“Let me assure you that there is enough fuel in Slovenia, the depots are full and there will be no fuel shortage,” Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob said over the weekend.
Under his government's new measures, national-level restrictions will be enforced by petrol stations themselves, with employees having to ensure that customers are not supplied with more than the permitted amount.
The government is also encouraging fuel retailers to impose stricter restrictions on foreign drivers.
The price of a liter of “Euro-super 95” gasoline in Austria is approaching 1.80 euros, while diesel is close to 2 euros. In Slovenia it is currently capped at a maximum of 1.47 euros and 1.53 euros respectively, although prices are expected to increase on Tuesday.
For some Austrian drivers, the price difference is enough to justify a trip across the border.
Austrian far-right politician Herbert Kickl, leader of the Freedom Party, has used his fueling trips as political propaganda, posting a photo of a line of vehicles with Austrian license plates waiting to refuel at a gas station in Slovenia.
“Isn’t it sad,” he asked, “that we live in a country where it has become necessary for many people to go abroad for life to be cheaper?”
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Some Slovenians see visitors as a nuisance, causing queues and shortages for locals. Others, however, are more welcoming – noting that a good portion of the “fuel tourists” turn this into a full day, eating at local restaurants and shopping.
