Slovak Prime Minister Agrees with Oil Company to Self-Monitor Fuel Prices

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reached an agreement with Slovnaft, the country's main oil refiner, allowing the company to monitor fuel prices independently rather than implementing government price controls. President Peter Pellegrini made an unusual appearance at the government meeting where officials discussed oil and gasoline prices with Slovnaft representatives, later praising the government's handling of the situation. The meeting produced no new regulatory measures, leaving pricing decisions to Slovnaft. Opposition parties are pressuring the government to address rising gasoline prices, which have been driven up by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Fico's Smer-SD party, which leads Slovakia's ruling coalition, has opted against direct price regulation despite the external pressure on fuel costs.