On Thursday, MPs debated the draft laws from Federal Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU), and the committees will then deal with them in order to seal the measures next week. At the same time, the debate about further steps continues in view of the continued rise in oil prices.

According to current plans, gas stations will only be allowed to increase fuel prices once a day in the future, at 12 p.m. Price reductions should be possible at any time. Violations result in fines. In addition, antitrust law is to be tightened to make it easier to take action against market-dominating oil companies if there is evidence of unreasonably high prices.

The SPD and CDU hold oil multinationals accountable

Sepp Müller from the CDU accused the oil multinationals of blackmail. He told “Bild”: “The mineral oil giants are providing answers like slaps in the face for consumers and medium-sized businesses. Their threat of shortages? Pure blackmail.”

The background: On Monday, the general manager of the Fuels and Energy trade association, Christian Küchen, threatened supply bottlenecks for gasoline and diesel if the government tightened antitrust law.

In the Bundestag, Müller followed up: “Why doesn’t the price of fuel at the pump fall when the price of crude oil falls?” he wanted to know. For him, it’s a sign that the market isn’t working. He therefore advocates political intervention.

Armand Zorn from the SPD also counts the billion-dollar oil companies: “Making profit from war is indecent.” What is currently happening at gas stations should be stopped.

Final decision probably next week

The aim is for a final resolution of the measures to be passed in the Bundestag next week so that the Federal Council can deal with it next Friday. This means that the rule changes would take effect before the end of March. The CDU MP Sepp Müller thanked the opposition factions in the Bundestag who had agreed to the necessary shortening of the deadline. Müller once again made serious accusations against the oil industry and defended the tightening of antitrust law.

Demands for further relief came particularly from the opposition. The AfD is primarily calling for tax cuts and an abolition of CO2 pricing. The Greens are campaigning for an excess profits tax for oil companies and are also receiving support from the SPD and the Left. The left also relied on cheaper public transport.