Facing further rises in gasoline and diesel prices triggered by the war in Iran, the SPD intends to sharply limit the daily price hikes at petrol stations.
Deputy parliamentary group leader Esra Limbacher told the “Rheinische Post” on Thursday that the first step should be to curb how often stations and oil companies are allowed to increase prices.
Last November the Bundesrat adopted a resolution for “transparent fuel prices”. In it, the Länderkammer urged the federal government to examine minimum time gaps between price increases. The resolution cites Austria, where refueling operators may raise prices only once a day, at noon, while discounts can be introduced at any time.
Limbacher added that no guidance has yet come from the leading economy and energy ministry headed by Minister Reiche. She argued that the current rate of price growth is difficult to justify. “The petrol and diesel we are selling today were primarily purchased at significantly lower crude‑oil prices” the SPD politician said, accusing the industry of “cheating consumers”.
The coalition parties in the Bundestag have therefore set up a special working group to monitor the escalating fuel and energy costs associated with the conflict in Iran.