Sachsen‑Anhalt’s governor, Sven Schulze (CDU), welcomed the launch of a newly created federal task force formed by the governing coalition’s parliamentary groups to monitor fuel and gas prices. He said the move was appropriate, adding that the steep prices currently seen at service stations amount to “pure gouging” and can’t be justified by the situation in the Middle East, something everyone knows.
Schulze stressed that the competition authority should first be involved and that pressure must be exerted on oil companies; the crisis should not be exploited in Germany. He warned that if gasoline prices remain high-or rise further-in the coming weeks it will be necessary to explore relief measures. Yet he cautioned against premature state intervention, arguing that the “right level of involvement” should be considered later rather than after a few days of price spikes.
The governor also noted that the high prices hurt not only consumers but also the industrial sector, especially energy‑intensive businesses. He urged that steps be taken to avoid a shock to the industry, which could become a significant problem under current conditions.