In an interview with Euronews’ flagship morning programme Europe Today, Polish energy secretary Wojciech Wrochna said EU capitals should be driving the response to the energy crisis as the European Commission tries to keep a unified approach.
“We need a coordinated response to the crisis, but the capitals should be driving the measures,” Wrochna said. Until now, the EU has looked at contingency measures at national level, although fiscal capacity for aid and subsidies greatly across member states, and broader measures presented by Brussels.
The EU’s energy chief Dan Jørgensen warned member states this week that prices could remain elevated even if a peace deal is reached in Iran, urging governments to prepare for a “potentially prolonged disruption”.
EU energy ministers met via videoconference on Tuesday to discuss possible steps to curb rising energy prices, but no joint response emerged.
According to Jørgensen, countries may consider measures to curb demand, building up on a set of recommendations from the International Energy Agency which called for fuel rationing, remote working and even car-free Sundays — a policy last seen during the 1970s energy crisis. Oil and gas prices have risen by 70% and 50% respectively in the EU.
Jørgensen acknowledged the “different circumstances” across the bloc, signalling that each member state will ultimately determine its own approach to the “severe situation", although he warned against member outbidding and competing with each other.
Poland's Wrochna called on the European Commission to show “flexibility”, noting that ministers had put forward “different approaches” including Warsaw.
Poland introduced Tuesday a price cap on petrol stations to stabilise prices at the pump and prevent excessive margins.
The move is part of a broader package, which also included a reduction in VAT on fuel from 23% to 8%, alongside cuts to excise duties and other levies to the EU minimum.
Warsaw says the measures will provide immediate and visible relief for drivers, while curbing speculative price increases. It has warned fuel stations against exploiting the crisis, signalling that further regulatory action could follow if necessary.
A windfall tax on fuel companies could be considered if excessive profits are identified.
Wrochna stressed that responses should remain country-specific. Proposals such as reducing car use may be easier to implement in countries with strong cycling cultures, but less feasible in cities like Warsaw, where weather conditions limit such alternatives.
Poland is not alone in taking action. A week ago, Slovenia adopted a fuel rationing policy, becoming the first EU country to implement such a measure.
Meanwhile, Spain reduced VAT on fuels from 21% to 10%. Austria has also cut fuel taxes and introduced limits on retailer profit margins, an approach similar to Germany’s proposal, which includes restricting fuel price increases to once per day.
The European Commission is expected to present a "toolbox" of measures soon.
