Slovenia curbs fuel sales after petrol stations run dry: 'We didn't think events in Iran would catch up with us so quickly'

Slovenia temporarily limited the amount of fuel that can be bought on Sunday to deal with shortages at petrol stations, according to Reuters.

At the level of each station, supply is limited to 50 liters per day for private vehicles and 200 liters for legal entities and entrepreneurs, including farmers. The restrictions remain in place until further notice, Prime Minister Robert Golob said Saturday evening.

“I want to assure you that there is enough fuel in Slovenia, the warehouses are full and there will be no shortages,” said Robert Golob, a liberal leader facing right-wing populist Janez Janša in Sunday's election.

Golob said the problem is with the transportation of fuel to gas stations and that the army will intervene with tankers to help distributors supply their stations.

Petrol, Slovenia's largest fuel distribution company, has been facing shortages, leading to long queues at gas stations in recent days

Many petrol stations across the country were closed on Sunday. Those belonging to the Hungarian MOL group remained open, but had already limited supply to 30 liters for individuals and 200 liters for legal entities.

“Today I had no problems, because I have an app where I can check where I can fill up,” said Tamara Gale Beasinsky, a 40-year-old teacher at a gas station in Ljubljana. “But yesterday we had problems, because we stood in line for more than 20 minutes… and we only managed to fill 30 liters of diesel.”

The government has asked traders to report stock levels on a daily basis so that further measures can be taken if needed. Authorities also recommended preparing special measures for foreign drivers, Golob said.

“We didn't think the events in Iran would catch up with us so quickly,” said Sahli Pierre-Alain, a Swiss tourist in Ljubljana.

Photo: Robert Gerhardt | Dreamstime.com