The eastern German federal states see the package of measures adopted by the Bundestag to combat the sharp rise in fuel prices as the right step, but are calling for further measures. "As eastern German MPs, we have taken a clear decision today: That's not enough for us," said Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) after a meeting of Eastern German heads of government in Berlin. "We also believe that the price of fuel must be lowered in the short term by reducing energy taxes, or alternatively the CO2 tax."
Taxpayers cannot be expected to pay for all of this, said Schwesig. It was therefore also necessary to look at which instruments could be used to siphon off the benefits that corporations were gaining from the crisis. Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), spoke of a confiscation of assets in the case of "illegitimate corporate profits".
Almost four weeks after the start of the Iran war and the sharp rise in fuel prices, the Bundestag has passed a package of measures. In future, petrol stations will only be allowed to increase prices once a day, at 12.00 noon. Price reductions should always be possible. The new rule could come into force before Easter. The Federal Cartel Office will also be given more powers to combat excessive prices.
