VIENNA, March 18 (Reuters) - Austria's ruling coalition said on Wednesday it will temporarily cut the tax on petrol and diesel and limit fuel retailers' margins to cushion consumers from soaring oil
Austria Cuts Fuel Tax and Caps Margins as Iran Conflict Raises Oil Prices
Austria's Response to Soaring Oil Prices Amid Iran Conflict
VIENNA, March 18 (Reuters) - Austria's ruling coalition said on Wednesday it will temporarily cut the tax on petrol and diesel and limit fuel retailers' margins to cushion consumers from soaring oil prices triggered by the Iran conflict.
Impact of the Iran Conflict on Global Oil Prices
Israeli and U.S. military strikes on Iran, and Tehran's retaliation, including shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz--through which about a fifth of global oil flows--have driven oil prices higher. They have also sent governments scrambling for a response, including tapping strategic reserves.
Government's Stance and Objectives
"The aim is clear: we want to curb inflation on the one hand, stabilize fuel prices and ensure competitiveness," Chancellor Christian Stocker said at a news conference called by the leaders of the three ruling centrist parties.
"Interventions (in the market) are of course an exception but we are currently faced with an exceptional situation."
Details of the Petrol Tax Reduction and Margin Cap
Implementation of the Petrol Tax Cut
PETROL TAX REDUCTION
Austria will return extra tax revenue from higher fuel prices to consumers by cutting the petrol tax, starting with a reduction of 5 euro cents per litre, coalition leaders said.
Legislative Process and Duration
Legislation for the measures require parliamentary approval, expected by April 1, and they will last for the rest of the year, the government said.
Measures to Limit Fuel Retailers' Margins
"We are reducing the petroleum tax and introducing measures to limit margins across the entire value chain. These specific measures will bring the price of diesel and petrol down by around 10 (euro) cents (12 cents) per litre," Stocker said in a statement.
Uncertainty Around Margin Cap Mechanism
It was unclear how the margin cap would work, but Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said it would apply once margins exceed those "before the (Iran) crisis" by 50%.
Additional Information
($1 = 0.8675 euros)
(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Bernadette Baum)
