Finance Ministry backs down from heating oil excise hike

"There will be no increase in the excise duty at least during my term in office," unexpectedly announced the Minister. This decision will satisfy many people, as otherwise they would have had to fork out an extra annual zł.1,500 for heating their houses and flats. It is no secret that the decision to withdraw from the increase was influenced by the lack of political support for the move. The plan was fiercely protested against by NGOs, local governments and politicians. Initially, the Ministry was even planning to introduce compensation packages protecting individuals from the increase in the excise duty. However, no actual moves were made in this direction and thus most likely individuals would have not received any help. The move had also begun to consolidate opposition to Gronicki and calls had begun for him to resign. (Rzeczpospolita, p. A1) M.M.