German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig (SPD) has called for a limit on how often fuel prices can be raised, citing the steep rise in gasoline costs. “If the price at the pump is increased multiple times a day, it officially smells like a scam” she told “Spiegel”. “Austria already bans such practice. From my point of view it would be useful to take that as a model and tighten the pricing‑disclosure regulation”.
The minister said that millions of commuters feel the impact of high fuel prices in their wallets. She added that she can understand why many are calling for political action. “Social market economy also means the government must work to keep living costs affordable” Hubig said. “And above all, it must not stand by while corporations turn a crisis into maximum profit”.
In the Bundestag the SPD backs her proposal. Deputy faction chairman Armand Zorn said, “The possibility to raise prices should only exist once a day”. He pointed out that, on average, gas stations adjust their prices about 18 times a day, making it impossible for consumers to find the cheapest station.
It is unclear whether the coalition partner, the CDU, will agree. The Union fraction’s consumer‑policy spokesperson, Sebastian Steineke, signaled tentative openness. He emphasised the need for long‑term solutions, noting that the fuel‑price problem predates the Iran crisis. He suggested looking at other countries, “for example Austria” and that “everything should be considered that could help in Germany”.
