Philipp Türmer, the leader of the Young Socialists, has called for a fuel‑price ceiling in response to the sharp rise in gasoline costs. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt” in its Wednesday issue, he warned that “we need a price cap now to end the gouging at the pumps”.
After the outbreak of the Iran conflict, Germany’s fuel prices have surged sharply. On Monday, a liter of E10 gasoline averaged more than €2.00 nationwide-its highest price since May 2022. Diesel followed at €2.171 per liter. Türmer noted that around €2 per liter on the weekend, 20 cents higher than a few weeks ago, is “utterly absurd”. He accused oil companies of exploiting the crisis “shamelessly” for speculation and added profits, describing the situation as “nothing other than gouging the people’s backs”. He urged immediate action to curb this practice.
Another party colleague, Jochen Ott, echoed the sentiment. “The rise in gasoline and gas prices is simply unacceptable” he told the “Handelsblatt”. As a designated SPD candidate for the upcoming North Rhine‑Westphalia state election, Ott said he expects the economy minister to announce clear measures against possible exploitation by the oil sector within the week. He added that Germany must be able to tax crisis‑driven excess profits, saying “we need the legal options now”.
From the side of the Union, the idea of hard price controls is approached sceptically. Sepp Müller, a CDU economist, stated that the competition authority already has “sharp tools” to act against price drivers. The coalition will keep a close watch on market developments. “Next week we will consult the heads of the oil companies and discuss possible measures internally” Müller said.
The German Environmental Aid (DuH) organization has called for the price of the Deutschlandticket-Germany’s nationwide public transport pass-to be lowered again to a maximum of €49. “The extremely high fuel prices starkly illustrate how costly dependence on fossil‑fuel vehicles is for many people” DuH chief executive Jürgen Resch explained. He said the ticket was created to provide a reliable and affordable alternative for daily mobility, and that the price hike to €63 is a mistake that threatens to erode that success model.
Resch urged that the ticket’s price be permanently capped at €49 and that additional discounts be introduced for children, youth, apprentices, students, and pensioners-with the cost for those groups capped at €29. He argued that public funds should not subsidise fossil fuels but instead strengthen public transport. “Germany needs affordable, reliable, and well‑developed public transport” Resch said. “Investing in buses and trains relieves households, protects climate and health, and saves the economy billions by reducing congestion, air pollution, and climate damage. The federal government and the states must finally make bus and rail a true alternative to the car”.
