EU Commissioner Considers Fuel Rationing Amid Upcoming Energy Crisis

European Commissioner for Energy, Dan Jørgensen, recently stated that the European Union is actively exploring various options to prepare for an impending energy crisis prompted by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. One of the potential measures under consideration is the implementation of fuel rationing, which may become necessary due to the prolonged rise in energy prices.

This information was disclosed by Jørgensen in an interview with the Financial Times, which was made accessible through the source 'European Truth.' He emphasized that the situation in the energy market is likely to remain challenging for an extended period, stating: "This will be a long crisis... energy prices will be higher for a very long time."

Dan Jørgensen also added that the EU is considering "all possible options" to prepare for this "prolonged" energy shock. Among the proposed measures, he mentioned fuel rationing, as well as the possibility of releasing additional oil volumes from emergency reserves, which could help alleviate pressure on the market.

Furthermore, the Commissioner expressed concerns that the situation regarding certain "critical" products may worsen in the coming weeks. This indicates that the EU is actively monitoring the market and is prepared to respond swiftly to changes.

The background of these statements is linked to Jørgensen's warning about the potential for a prolonged energy crisis arising from the conflict in the Middle East. He urged citizens to reduce their use of cars and airplanes, as well as to work from home to decrease energy consumption. Additionally, he called on EU countries to urgently deploy renewable energy sources, which would help reduce dependence on traditional energy resources.

In response to the rising fuel prices resulting from the conflict in the Middle East, the German government approved a package of measures on March 26 of this year. This package includes various economic tools aimed at supporting the population amid rising energy prices.

Moreover, on March 30, a decree came into effect in Poland that reduces the excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, which is also part of the efforts by EU governments to mitigate the impacts of the energy crisis. On the same day, Norway's Minister of Finance, Jens Stoltenberg, announced a temporary tax reduction on gasoline and diesel fuel, which also aims to support the population amid rising prices.