Gas stations in Spain are awaiting a clear stance from the central government on whether the December 31 price reduction will continue. The Mediterranean Federation of Gas Station Entrepreneurs, known as Fedmes, has reappointed Emilio Córcoles as the provincial president and is pressing for an immediate decision to prevent a repeat of the disruption caused by the start-up’s pricing measure. The industry argues that a tax cut would be more effective than the current 20-cent rebate.
Fedmes has named José Luis Tort from Valencia as the new president of the federation, which represents the provincial associations across the Community. Despite this renewal, the leadership in Alicante remains under Córcoles, while Juan José Sánchez will oversee the Castellón employers’ association.
At the inauguration, Tort urged the central administration to discuss potential adjustments to the fuel bonus. He stated that the implementation caused significant confusion due to insufficient consultation and a tight 40-hour window to make changes. He noted that this period marked the first time gas stations faced shutdowns because of policy measures.
The federation consistently argues for tax reductions as the preferable option, pointing to parallels with other energy sectors where VAT has been cut by 5%. They highlight that fuel prices rose sharply in response to the geopolitical upheaval and that tax revenues increased as a result. In Valencia, for instance, the price of a liter of gasoline already reflects a substantial tax component.
The government’s stance on sustaining the 20-cent fuel cut remains unsettled
According to Tort, there is room to lower taxes further. He insists, however, that any modification to the fuel bonus should be agreed with the industry promptly, avoiding last-minute actions as the current extension nears expiration. The prevailing uncertainty affects all market participants and makes planning difficult.
Fedmes has observed that in recent weeks several ministers have not ruled out stopping the generalization of the bonus. Gas station workers cannot be treated as financial auditors or tax inspectors to determine who should receive the bonus. Clear, easy-to-apply criteria are essential, and the industry has consistently called for constructive dialogue to resolve these issues.