The Tankstellen-Interessenverband (TIV) welcomed the federal government’s planned regulation that limits fuel price increases to once a day. “This is a very good and important step in the right direction, because fixing a reference price that can only trend downward afterwards gives motorists a much‑needed sense of predictability and reliability” said TIV spokesman Herbert Rabl in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”. He added that the measure would restore calm rather than justified agitation at filling stations. Economy Minister Reiche has taken up a central demand of the association and is now implementing the so‑called Austrian model.
Rabl pictured an even stricter approach: “Austria is already taking a real step further by planning to fix fuel prices only on three days a week, with further changes limited to reductions. That would be a strong, forward‑looking model for Germany as well”. He also noted that, together with the release of oil reserves, this measure would help stabilize gasoline prices. However, he cautioned that the extent to which prices may fall as sharply as they have risen remains ultimately in the hands of the major corporations and their profit strategies.
