SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf has urged the Federal Cartel Office to investigate the recent price hikes for gas, oil, and petrol. “Oil and energy companies should not be able to enrich themselves at the expense of consumers amid the dramatic situation in Iran” he told the newspapers of the Funke media group in the Thursday editions. “The Federal Cartel Office has to take a close look at this, and if antitrust violations are found, it must act decisively”.

At the same time, Klüssendorf appealed to Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) to review any relief measures for the public. “We must not allow new, significant burdens that undermine the gains we have already achieved” he said. He expects Reiche to keep a close eye on developments in the energy supply and price trends, and to be ready to act if necessary.