The ORLEN Press Office alleged that in 2023 the company, without a legal basis and in violation of its own procedures, artificially lowered fuel prices to influence the outcome of the parliamentary elections. According to the office, these actions led to violations of fuel reserves, problems for drivers with refueling, and sales below market prices. ORLEN's losses were estimated at 3.5 billion PLN, and Poland's western neighbors reportedly bought over 80 million liters of fuel in the country at that time. The office claimed that selling below market prices halved the fuel import to Poland. It pointed out that imports covered one third of domestic consumption, and prices in Poland had to follow the quotes of refined fuels in global markets so that importers would not have to sell them cheaper than they bought them. The Polish Organization of the Oil Industry and Trade reported the cessation of imports, and the matter was handled by the prosecutor's office. The office stated that from the beginning of July to the end of September 2023, global diesel prices increased by about 40%, while Poland was the only EU country where fuel prices fell. It also noted that the fuel crisis it described at the time was due to a shortage of refining capacity and the supply of refined fuels, rather than oil prices. #Polska #kryzys #paliwa (translated)