The state ministers of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and Saarland, Manuela Schwesig (SPD) and Anke Rehlinger (SPD), have called upon Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) to provide more specific details regarding the planned fuel price limitations.
In a resolution submitted for the Prime Ministers’ Conference on Thursday, the two states contend that the federal government must establish a regulatory draft as quickly as possible so that the fuel price cap can take effect by January 1, 2027. The stated goals of this cap are to ensure fair competition in the fuel markets and prevent excessive price increases, citing regulations in Luxembourg and Belgium as useful models.
Furthermore, the ministers are demanding the establishment of a national windfall tax as a backup measure, should the European Union be unable to reach an agreement on this matter in a timely fashion.
While Schwesig and Rehlinger welcomed the renewed fuel discount that is currently in place, they made it clear that the states will not contribute financially to another such measure. The proposal notes that the states are providing a significant, final self-funded contribution toward the initiative.
The pressure for these regulations stems from the high fuel prices, which have recently risen (partly due to the Iranian conflict). The governing coalition had previously agreed in mid-September on a discount taking effect in October and a temporary price cap starting no later than January. This agreement preceded strong skepticism voiced by Reiche regarding the cap that was favored by the SPD.
