Overview
- Fuel prices in Germany have risen sharply after the Iran war and reports of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, pushing costs higher for drivers during the summer.
- SPD general secretary Tim Klüssendorf publicly called for a Belgian-style state price cap to fix daily maximum petrol and diesel prices and faulted the economics ministry for inaction.
- CDU and CSU figures have pushed alternative measures such as suspending the CO₂ levy or temporary tax relief and have questioned the effectiveness of the April 12:00 rule that limits daily price changes at stations.
- CSU leader Markus Söder signaled openness to tools like an over‑profit tax on oil companies while SPD parliamentary leader Matthias Miersch warned the disruption could justify broad state aid if supply chains and key industries are hit.
- There is no coalition consensus and no new federal package yet, though Klüssendorf expects the joint SPD/Union taskforce to meet again this summer to seek options for consumer relief.