Overview
- Following Thursday’s crisis meeting with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil and Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, Chancellor Friedrich Merz told drivers not to expect quick decisions and tasked both ministers with a joint plan.
- The coalition remains split, as Klingbeil backs a mobility bonus, temporary energy‑tax cuts and a windfall‑profits levy with a flexible fuel cap, while Merz and Reiche reject a cap and float a higher commuter allowance.
- Merz highlighted expanded powers for the Bundeskartellamt, and its president Andreas Mundt urged oil companies to pass lower crude costs to consumers, though he noted the office needs court‑proof evidence of abuse and cannot set prices.
- Pump prices fell only about three cents after the announced two‑week US‑Iran weapons pause, according to ADAC, and traders still face risks from shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Germany is weighing a Bundeswehr role to help keep Hormuz navigable, and minehunters plus “Seehund” and “Seefuchs” drones could be used, but any deployment requires an international mandate and Bundestag approval.