The Saarland’s Minister President, Anke Rehlinger (SPD), expressed openness to an extraordinary session of the Bundesrat to advance the black-and-red coalition’s plan to lower the mineral oil tax. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” on Wednesday, Rehlinger stated, “The COVID-19 period already showed that the chamber of the states can convene and make decisions very short-term if necessary”.
Rehlinger added that this would also generally be possible in this instance, given that everyone seeks rapid financial relief for citizens at the gas pump. However, the regional head of government emphasized that a formal legislative process must first take place in the Bundestag “before the Bundesrat becomes involved”.
According to the intentions of the black-and-red coalition, the legislative proposal to reduce fuel prices by 17 cents is scheduled to pass its first reading in the Bundestag this week. The process aims to be concluded during a desired extraordinary session of the Bundesrat on April 24th. This would potentially allow the tax reduction to take effect on May 1st, as the next regularly scheduled meeting of the chamber of the states is not until May 8th.
