Monika Schnitzer, chair of the Wirtschaftsweisen panel, rejected the idea of setting maximum prices for gasoline and diesel in Germany as it is in Luxembourg. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday, Schnitzer said the proposal was “not convincing from an economic standpoint”.
She explained that Luxembourg’s state‑set ceiling sits close to the market price, requiring no subsidies. The price difference between Luxembourg and Germany is almost entirely due to lower taxes and levies-energy tax, CO₂ fee, and VAT-while the underlying market price is nearly identical. A real cap below the market level would directly hit refinery and petrol‑station margins, weakening long‑term incentives for supply and infrastructure.
Schnitzer warned that, alternatively, the government would have to offset the gap, which could quickly amount to double‑digit billions of euros each year. She added that any such intervention would only be legally permissible for a limited time and under strict EU and constitutional constraints.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has called for price caps similar to those in Luxembourg.