Fuel price protests bring chaos to ireland and norway
Protests against soaring fuel costs have descended into chaos in Ireland and spread to Norway in a ripple effect from the Middle East conflict.
Irish hauliers, farmers block motorways, paralyzing dublin
For the fourth consecutive day, hauliers, farmers and other groups brought parts of Dublin to a standstill, blocking motorways and sparking fuel shortages and travel disruptions. The Irish government put the army on standby to help remove blockades and police warned some protesters to disperse or face arrest.
Defiance reigned as protesters threatened to continue the disruption for weeks if necessary. Critically, the blockades were endangering essential supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed, An Garda Síochána, the police force, warned in a statement.
Norway's 'diesel roar' protest hits oslo as prices soar
In Norway, lorry drivers joined the 'diesel roar' protest, descending on the capital Oslo with a convoy of around 70-80 trucks bearing banners reading 'nok er nok!' (enough is enough!). Despite being an oil producer, Norway's fuel prices have surged since the Strait of Hormuz closure.
Industry reps were to convey their members' grievances to ministers later Friday, but it remained unclear whether that would satisfy protesters demanding direct talks with the government.
Judge Minister Jim O'Callaghan accused 'outside actors', such as British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, of manipulating the protests for their own agenda, echoing Denmark's recent election where the far-right Danish People's Party attempted to tap discontent by paying voters for their petrol.
As global markets convulsed, triggered by the US and Israel's attacks on Iran, some governments announced temporary cuts in fuel taxes or measures to restrict demand and considered rationing. The Philippines declared a state of 'national energy emergency'. France allowed fuel tankers to circulate on weekends and holidays until May 11.
The Irish government's €250 million package of measures to reduce fuel costs, including a temporary excise duty reduction and expansion of a diesel rebate scheme, had failed to quell the unrest. Blockades crippled deliveries, with dozens of forecourts running dry and warnings of hundreds more soon to follow.
Slower emergency services response times and missed healthcare appointments threatened patient welfare, while courier firm DPD suspended deliveries. Protesters vowed to remain in the capital for weeks or even months if necessary.