The investigations of the Lungau fuel prices by the Competition Authority are over: there were no cartel formations, no price agreements and the expensive prices are legal. Nevertheless, the companies are in danger of punishing.
The local leaders of Lungau responded on Friday morning to the results of the Competition Authority. As is known, this has investigated whether and why fuel prices in the Lungau van Salzburg are more expensive than in other comparable districts. Ten to 20 cents, in recent years even 30 to 40 cents were more expensive.
“Everything is right,” says the authority at the organization. “There is no proof of price agreements, no illegal antitrust formation,” summarizes the general director Natalie Harsdorf the two -year study together.
The more expensive diesel and gasoline can be justified: by a smorgas board of toll costs, transport costs and higher fixed costs. No significantly higher margins were found in the profit. The fuel for the Lungauer remains more expensive than in the rest of the country.
Municipalities monitor prices, if necessary, indicate
For the ÖVP mayor of Muhr, Hans-Jürgen Schiefer is applied: “Yes, it is of course not satisfactory. We know that we pay more, but we can’t do anything about it. But it is a partial success, because the diesel has become much cheaper.”
Like this? Gas stations are required to enter your prices in the transparency database. Some of them missed that. Harsdorf: “As soon as the investigation started, the companies have registered their prices. And they have fallen within a week.” Manfred Sampl, chairman of the regional association, says: “We will keep an eye on the market for citizens and report everything to the authority that does not fit.”
Every built -in input threatened to punish the first time: 2200 euros, 7200 euros for every further time. And all earlier violations have been reported. The procedures are already underway.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
