Chancellor Friedrich Merz is seeking to provide relief to motorists amid rising fuel prices, but the specifics of the plan remain unclear. Gas stations in Germany can only adjust their fuel prices once daily at noon. On September 15, E10 gasoline was priced at approximately €2.25 ($2.60) per liter, while diesel was about €2.37. Prices increased by about €0.20 per liter at noon, with the highest recorded price for Super Plus at a highway gas station in southern Berlin at €3.03 per liter.
Public frustration is growing, particularly among residents of rural areas who have limited alternatives to driving. Data from the Federal Statistical Office indicates that filling a 60-liter tank with E10 gasoline was about €31 cheaper in the Czech Republic and Poland compared to Germany, with differences of €28 in Luxembourg and €25 in Austria. Germany shares borders with nine countries, and gasoline prices are lower in seven of them, while diesel is cheaper in six. Only in the Netherlands and Denmark are fuel prices higher than in Germany.
Chancellor Merz acknowledged the situation, stating, "Many people who need their cars every day have reached their breaking point." He emphasized the need for action but noted that the exact measures are still under discussion. Deputy government spokesperson Steffen Meyer attributed the price increases to external factors, including the situation in the Middle East, rather than government actions.
Germany's higher taxes and levies on fuels contribute to the situation, with the ADAC automobile club highlighting that E10 gasoline is currently more expensive despite oil prices being below previous peaks. Herbert Rabl from the Gas Station Interest Group criticized oil companies for maintaining profit margins.
The coalition government, composed of the Christian Democratic Union/Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), faces challenges due to budget constraints. Meyer stated that resolving the issue requires ending hostilities and ensuring navigation freedom. In response to rising oil prices following the outbreak of the war in Iran, the government had previously introduced a temporary fuel rebate from May 1 to June 30, 2026, which reduced the energy tax on gasoline and diesel.
Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche mentioned that a similar rebate is not feasible at this time. The Conservatives are considering tax relief for commuters or direct payments to low-income earners, while the SPD is advocating for a government-imposed cap on fuel prices and an excess profit tax on energy companies to finance relief measures.
As regional elections approach on September 20, the SPD is under pressure to respond to public concerns. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, SPD Premier Manuela Schwesig is facing competition from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which proposes lowering fuel prices by abolishing the CO₂ tax and reducing the energy tax. Schwesig criticized the federal government's inaction, stating that it is causing frustration among citizens.
The SPD-led Federal Finance Ministry plans to advocate for an excess profits tax at an upcoming meeting of EU finance ministers. Discussions on this tax are ongoing at the European level, with support from larger member states like Spain and Poland. A spokesperson for the Finance Ministry noted that such a tax could help alleviate the financial burden on consumers affected by high gas prices.