The slogan “5.19” flooded the Polish Internet. Analysts have detected an army of bots on the Internet
2026-03-27 12:00
publication
2026-03-27 12:00
“Lower Fuel Prices” package, which includes, among others: VAT reduction, announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, reached an online reach of 27 million recipients – according to Res Futura. Analysts detected the potential presence of bots in the discussion, and the slogan “5.19” became a key catalyst for emotions on the Internet.
On Friday, the Sejm voted and sent to the Senate draft laws that are intended to reduce excise duty on fuels and introduce maximum retail prices. These are draft amendments on crude oil reserves and excise tax. Both are the government's response to rising fuel prices related to the conflict in the Middle East. The reductions are expected to reach PLN 1.2 per liter. According to the projects, VAT rates on fuels will be reduced from 23%. up to 8 percent The Prime Minister also announced that in the event of excessive profits of fuel companies, it will be possible to apply a tax on excess profits (so-called windfall tax).
The bots sprang into action
The European Analytical Collective Res Futura estimated that 16 percent comments on this topic on social media platforms may have been generated by bots. These entries were characterized by repetitive linguistic structures, modifications of the abbreviation of the CPN package (“Fuel Prices Lower”) and almost identical developments of subplots.
Analysts have pointed out that accounts publishing this content may be inauthentic – this is indicated, among others, by: no photos, fictitious identities, randomly generated personal data and mechanical pasting of ready-made formulas.
According to the report, apart from comments generated by bots, 41 percent Internet users expressed support for the package online. Users positively assess the state's intervention in the face of the sudden increase in fuel prices. They praise the idea of reducing VAT, lower excise duty, introducing a maximum price and the announcement of a tax on excessive profits. This group also believes that resistance to the package would be contrary to the interests of consumers.
What do critics say?
In turn, the remaining 59 percent Internet users criticize the package, accusing it of late announcement, alleged unreliability and the presence of political PR. Analysts note that the slogan “5.19” became a key catalyst for emotions in the discussion. It refers to an interview with Donald Tusk for naTemat.pl from June 2022, in which, when asked how much a liter of fuel would cost the day after he took over as prime minister, he replied: PLN 5.19. The report shows that the number has become a key point of discussion and a symbol of checking the credibility of an old promise.
Additionally, according to Res Futura, The fuel thread commented on online is mixed with narratives about Germans, Ukraine, Obajtek, pedophilia, Trump and the broadly understood betrayal of the elites. This means that the topic of fuels has become widely polarized.
Internet users expect that price reductions at gas stations will be visible before Christmas, and the solution will also be beneficial for companies, farmers and the transport sector.
In comments on fuel prices, Internet users mainly express anger (30%), which concerns both the fuel prices themselves and the feeling of being cheated or robbed by the pricing policy. The emotions present online include cynicism (22%), distrust (18%), relief (15%) and ridicule (11%).
The European Analytical Collective Res Futura obtains data for analyzes of communication behavior, mood dynamics and the spread of content in the digital space using the SentiOne platform. At the stage of initial data processing, proprietary cleaning and validation mechanisms are implemented, allowing the elimination of duplicates, irrelevant content and messages disturbing contextual analysis. “All analytical work is carried out in accordance with the regulations on the protection of personal data (GDPR) and while maintaining rigorous operational security procedures,” Res Futura assures.
CPN – will there be a fuel shortage? A dangerous element of government intervention
I didn't think I would ever write about CPNs. For those who remember them, they were synonymous with fuel shortages and petrol rationing after waiting in a long queue. It was unimaginable that someone would treat us to such a scenario again. And yet – writes Krzysztof Kolany, chief analyst of Bankier.pl.
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