Fuel prices in Slovenia will be fully deregulated, the government decided on Wednesday. The decision is expected to takes effect in October.
The government says prices are unlikely to increase since new discount providers may enter the market, and fuel retailers welcomed the move. Some other stakeholders however voiced reservations, describing the move as a handout to oil firms at the expense of consumers. Coming in the wake of the decision was the news that Environment Minister Andrej Vizjak is being investigated by the securities market regulator for potential insider trading, having bought EUR 120,000 worth of shares of fuel company Petrol in the spring.