Serbian opposition: State taxes, not global prices, drive up fuel costs

A Serbian opposition politician has accused the government of exploiting citizens by imposing excessive taxes on fuel. Dušan Nikezić, vice-president of the Freedom and Justice Party (SSP), stated that oil prices on global markets are currently lower than before the Iranian crisis.

Nikezić claimed that the price of diesel in Serbia has increased by 23 dinars solely because of higher state levies. He asserted that Serbia has had the highest fuel prices in the region for years, with diesel now costing 40% more than in North Macedonia.

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The only reason for the most expensive fuel in the region is the huge state levies, which account for over 50% of the retail price of diesel and gasoline.

"The only reason for the most expensive fuel in the region is the huge state levies, which account for over 50% of the retail price of diesel and gasoline," Nikezić said in a written statement. He called on the government to "stop robbing the citizens of Serbia" by immediately halving excise taxes to their 2012 levels and ceasing to calculate VAT on these excise duties. He suggested that any deficit in the state budget could be covered by eliminating "corrupt deals."

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So stop robbing the citizens of Serbia, but immediately halve the excise tax to the amount from 2012, do not calculate VAT on the excise tax, and make up for the deficit in the state budget by canceling your corrupt deals.