Podgorica, (MINA-BUSINESS) – According to president of the European Alliance parliamentary group Boris Mugosa, citizens and businesses are bearing the burden of the energy crisis, while the state is profiting from it.

He stated that the Government decided last week to abolish the legally permitted reduction in excise duties without providing any explanation and to include the full amount of excise tax on diesel fuel (€0.44 per litre) in the retail price. These excise duties constitute state revenue and are paid into the national budget.

As a result, citizens will pay €1.70 per litre of diesel as of today.

According to Mugosa, this is €0.36 more per litre than a few months ago, representing a 27 per cent increase in the price of diesel.

On that €0.36 difference, the state additionally earns €0.06 per litre through VAT, which is also calculated on excise duties. 

Mugosa recalled that the state collects more than €0.70 per litre of fuel through excise duties and VAT.

He added that rising fuel prices lead to higher prices for numerous goods and services, as reflected in the increase in both monthly and annual inflation rates in recent months.