Bundeswirtschaftsministerin Katharina Reiche (CDU) arranged for the new price regulation for petrol stations to take effect three days later than originally planned. A spokesperson for the minister told the newspaper “Bild” that the stakeholders had asked for a smooth rollout and thus a commencement on 1 April. Consequently, in coordination with the Federal Office for Justice, the bill is scheduled to be published on 31 March.
Under the law, petrol stations may now only increase prices once a day, and only at 12 p.m. Friday afternoon, the legislation was signed by Bundespräsident Frank‑Walter Steinmeier following approval by the Bundestag and Bundesrat. The Presidential Office immediately issued a publication order for the Federal Law Gazette to the Federal Office for Justice. However, the Office has delayed the digital release at the urging of the Ministry of Economics.
According to “Bild”, Reiche’s office had internally notified that oil companies and the Federal Cartel Office-whose control powers are being expanded by the measures package-required more time. If the law had been published digitally on Friday, it would have entered into force on Saturday. The delay now amounts to four days.