Czech lower house gives initial backing to windfall tax on refinery sector

PRAGUE, Oct 14 (Reuters) - The Czech lower house gave initial backing to an extraordinary tax on the refining sector to be applied in 2026 and 2027 and set at 50% of the increase in gross margins versus 2025.

• Lawmakers voted on the proposal of a windfall tax on the sector in the first of three readings late on Tuesday, and the legislation now goes to a parliamentary committee

• The tax is expected to apply to the sole operator of Czech refineries, Poland's Orlen

• Orlen, opposition politicians and the country's Industry Confederation have opposed the measure

• The government says it is needed due to the increase in refineries' margins because of the situation in global markets, which has raised fuel prices

• The finance ministry expects to raise 5.5 billion crowns ($253.08 million) for the budget from the proposed extraordinary tax on refineries in 2026

($1 = 21.7320 Czech crowns)

(Reporting by Jason Hovet;Editing by Elaine Hardcastle)