In contrast, countries such as France, Belgium, and Italy experienced significantly lower price hikes, while Poland and Austria saw price reductions due to government interventions. The recent price surge coincides with the implementation of Germany’s new 12-hour rule for gas stations, which restricts price increases to once daily at noon. Economists, including Gabriel Felbermayr, predict sustained high fuel prices in the coming months, attributing this to ongoing geopolitical tensions and market disruptions.