Despite the reluctance of Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), Armand Zorn, the Deputy Spokesperson of the SPD parliamentary group, is maintaining his call for measures to ease the burden on citizens regarding fuel prices. Speaking to RTL and ntv, Zorn stated that a cap on gas prices remains a viable option for his party, citing Luxembourg as an example where such intervention has proven successful due to significantly lower prices. He argued that “where the market fails, the state must intervene.”
The SPD politician confirmed that his party is actively pressuring Reiche on this issue, adding that “what we are doing is precisely that,” and that internal efforts are part of this pressure campaign. Zorn noted that the SPD is in discussions with Reiche and with the Union within the energy task force. Although he did not provide specific figures for the price cap, he stressed that the criteria for implementation must be clearly defined, ensuring the price “cannot be arbitrarily set.”
Furthermore, Zorn addressed the enforcement of the 12-o’clock rule at fuel stations, demanding more consistent penalties for violations. He stated that while the rule enhances price transparency, it is frequently disregarded. Although the Bundestag has passed high fines for such breaches, Zorn insists that regional authorities must now implement these penalties to ensure German law is followed.
In parallel, Zorn highlighted the enhanced powers of the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) when facing potentially excessive prices. He pointed out that competition law has been tightened and a reversal of the burden of proof has been introduced, essentially meaning that oil conglomerates must now guarantee fair pricing. He confirmed that the cartel office president has been involved in the gas price task force, and Zorn expects him to ensure faster and better supervision of the market.
