In a concerted effort to manage the impact of rapidly rising energy costs, María Jesús Montero, the Minister of Finance and Public Functions, outlined a plan that hinges on oil price movements. She indicated that the government will either extend or withdraw the universal fuel aid based on how wholesale energy prices translate into the price of a barrel of oil in the upcoming quarter. This approach aims to keep relief available to households while ensuring the policy remains tied to real market conditions.
During a radio interview carried by RNE and reported by Europa Press, Montero stressed that the fuel subsidy emerged in response to a sharp surge in fuel prices at the time. She emphasised the urgency of a decision on the continuation of the aid, noting that it would be prudent to observe the developing price signals over the next week to determine the best path forward for the measure.
Montero reiterated that the government is weighing several options and that the continuation or withdrawal of anti-crisis measures depends on how wholesale energy prices evolve and how they relate to energy market dynamics in the near term. The minister underscored that the policy framework is designed to shield families from volatile energy costs while the economy absorbs these shocks.
In her remarks, Montero highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting households as price pressures persist. She argued that Spain has better inflation control relative to many European peers, a point she attributed to the sequence of policy actions already enacted. She also indicated that more detailed information about the measures would be provided in the coming days as the situation develops.
Officials are preparing to present a new package of anti-crisis measures on December 29, with plans to convene an extraordinary Cabinet session. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez signaled this timetable over the past weekend, signaling a decisive moment for economic relief amid the price dynamics facing consumers across the country.
The 20 euro-cent fuel bonus, currently available to all citizens, is scheduled to remain in place until December 31. There are ongoing discussions about whether to narrow eligibility to certain occupational sectors—such as carriers and farmers—rather than maintaining universal coverage. The outcome will depend on the broader assessment of energy cost trends and the government’s capacity to balance targeted aid against universal relief.