Social Media Viral Fuels Frenzy and Garbage Cans at Gas Stations in Romania

Social Media post goes viral, and Romanians get hysteric over the sudden increase in fuel prices. The action was taken by a single gas station in Western Romania, but the hike went viral in a few hours. The damage was so significant that the Romanian Prime Minister has convened an emergency meeting at the Government after Romanians crowded the gas stations.

In the background of the current energy crisis generated by the Russian-Ukrainian war and the UE restrictions toward Romania’s energy importers, the fuel prices are growing every day. In this context, certain fuel companies in Romania took advantage and raised the price even higher to create hysteria among citizens.

On March 9, 2022, the gas stations in Romania were assaulted by drivers, scared that the fuel price would exceed EUR 2 a litre, as the rumours went into the public space. There were enormous queues near the gas stations.

The frenzy comes after one station in Bihor county, Romania, raised the fuel price drastically at EUR 2.22 per litre.

These images started all the frenzy, and thousands of people crowded to refuel before the fuel price rose all over the country. The Romanians exceeded any limit of paranoia, and in addition to filling the car, they loaded fuel into garbage containers.

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca convened an emergency meeting at the Government on March 10.

There is no real reason for the accelerated increase in prices in Romania. Our country has enough fuel stocks. PM Nicolae Ciuca has ordered ample verifications in gas stations. The Romanian Government will not allow any slippage, no attempt of speculation.

Dan Carbunaru, the Executive spokesman

The Minister of Energy, Virgil Popescu, stated on Wednesday, March 9, that the information according to which the fuel price reached EUR 2.22/litre was leaked by the MOL petrol station network, and “if they had been more careful, this would not have happened”. MOL is a Hungarian gas station chain.

Romanian Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca ordered gas stations to be verified after the prices exceeded all expectations.

It is a difficult and volatile international situation generated mainly by adopting economic measures to combat Russian aggression in Ukraine. In this context, we see that some companies do not take advantage of this situation, because a possible unjustified increase in prices can lead to sanctions.

Bogdan Chiritiu, President of the Competition Council Romania

The Romanian authorities are trying to stop this energy and gas crisis by working toward Romania’s energy independence.

The current prices for gas according to data from the Fuel Price Monitor are:

• Standard gasoline has a price per litre of EUR 1.70 at MOL, 1.60 at OMV, 1,60 Petrom and 1.50 Lukoil;
• Premium gasoline costs EUR 1.80 at MOL, 1,75 lei at OMV, 1.70 – Petrom and 1.55 – Lukoil;

Although high prices are an expected result of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, we cannot expect a significant drop in the coming period. Remember that Romania has the second-lowest excise on gasoline in the EU.

In conclusion, paranoia and fear caused by recent events and fueled by the media created a frenzy in the whole country. Romanians proved how misinformed they are once again and how easily they can be subject to manipulation.