The Left criticized the delayed entry into force of the new pricing rule for petrol stations.
“It first could not move quickly enough with the supposed relief, and then, just before the end, another brake was pressed” said economic‑policy spokesperson Janine Wissler to the “Rheinische Post” on Tuesday. “It unfortunately fits into the image of this symbolic politics”.
While the new rule does increase transparency, Wissler added that it will not produce noticeably lower fuel prices. Instead, she said any remaining extra profits must be limited elsewhere: “As long as these crisis gains are not stripped, there is no incentive to truly lower prices. That is why an over‑profit tax that caps these gains and returns them to people is finally necessary”.
Technically the measure could have taken effect on Saturday, but it only entered law on Wednesday after an intervention by the Ministry of Economy.
The petrol‑station association (TIV) welcomed the new rule. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, spokesperson Herbert Rabl said, “We are getting the sharpest sword to be wielded against the oil conglomerates, and it arrives at a reform speed I did not think possible”. He cautioned that the law must be closely monitored. “If the market works as intended, we will see a price war unfold after the noon price setting that will clear out the market”. Rabl added further: “If it does not, we know the market is dysfunctional. Then a silent cartel of the oil companies is in operation”.