Sarre’s Minister-President, Anke Rehlinger (SPD), has expressed openness to an extraordinary session of the Bundesrat to advance the reduction of the mineral oil tax proposed by the black-red coalition. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday, Rehlinger noted, “The coronavirus period already demonstrated that the chamber of states can convene and make decisions with very short notice if necessary”.
Rehlinger added that this would likely be possible in this instance as well, since there is general agreement on the need for quick financial relief for citizens at the gas pump. However, the Minister-President stressed that the necessary first step is a legislative procedure in the Bundestag before the Bundesrat can become involved.
Under the black-red coalition’s wishes, the legislative motion to cut gasoline prices by 17 cents is scheduled to pass its first reading in the Bundestag this week. The process is then intended to be finalized during a planned emergency session of the Bundesrat on April 24th. This would allow the tax cut to take effect on May 1st, as the next regularly scheduled session of the chamber of states is not until May 8th.