Facing looming fuel shortages, a heated debate over state‑led traffic restrictions has erupted. Consumer‑protection officer of the Union’s Bundestag faction, Sebastian Steineke (CDU), warned against panic‑making and hasty measures. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, he said the Union does not currently consider car‑free days or speed limits. Instead, he cited the Fuel Price Adjustment Act, arguing that it promotes fair competition at petrol stations and protects consumers from excessive costs.
Greenpeace mobility expert Benjamin Stephan sharply criticised that stance. “The Union’s stubborn rejection of a speed limit has long been hard to understand; now it is reckless given the geopolitical situation” he told the “Handelsblatt”. Stephan added that a maximum speed limit could be introduced tomorrow, would save billions of litres of fuel, and help ease the rising fuel bills people are paying.
The Greens backed the speed‑limit proposal. “A speed limit is sensible regardless of the current crisis” said consumer‑policy spokesman Till Steffen of the Greens to the “Handelsblatt”. He declined any return to car‑free Sundays, arguing that such bans were symbolic during the 1973 oil crisis and did very little to address the issue.