Stanić: Fuel price increase – the government's attitude towards citizens and the economy

The latest increase in fuel prices is proof that the Government of Montenegro does not want to seriously address the issue of citizens' standards, support for the economy and stopping galloping inflation, said European Union (EU) official Mirko Stanić.

As he said, although they announced a "responsible attitude towards citizens", today "they will be greeted by higher prices at the gas stations."

"Instead of reducing excise duties at a time of increased prices on the stock market, the authorities in Montenegro are still using every opportunity to extract money from citizens and the economy, without any development vision, new projects or strengthening the domestic economy," he said.

Stanić adds that, in addition, the calculation is clear according to which the government "in fact, today, due to the larger VAT base, is taking a significantly higher amount on that basis alone than before the crisis, because the proposal for a lower rate prepared by the European Union parliamentary group in the Parliament of Montenegro was not adopted."

"Thus, the Government of Montenegro will probably be one of the few that will make money off its citizens during the crisis, and how could it not, when it is currently the largest in Europe with 32 ministers and vice-presidents," he said.

Stanić points out that "the current pace of growth will certainly reach a level that will not be economically sustainable for the majority of the Montenegrin economy, which is 100 percent dependent on imports of oil and derivatives and without any plan to change this situation."

"When we add to that the government's tax and excise policy - it should come as no surprise that we have an inflation rate that is among the highest in Europe, which citizens notice every day," he concludes.