The new pricing rules for gas stations will take effect on Wednesday, with fuel pump prices allowed to rise only once per day at noon. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) announced on Monday that final formalities would be completed on Tuesday to bring the law into force. According to her statement, there will be no additional consumer relief measures for the time being, with options being reviewed until after Easter.
The federal government's fuel price package was signed by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Friday following approval by the Bundestag and Bundesrat. The Federal Ministry of Justice could have theoretically published the law digitally the same day, which would have brought it into force on Saturday.
However, the newspaper "Bild" reported that Reiche's Economy Ministry urged the Justice Ministry to delay publication in the official gazette, citing that oil companies and the cartel office needed more time for implementation.
Reiche disputed this claim. "There was no delay whatsoever," she said. The Federal Ministry of Justice will now "virtually complete the final act of publication on Tuesday. I assume it had to do with the weekend."
Following the Austrian model, the fuel price package stipulates that gas stations may only raise prices for fuels at twelve noon, while price reductions remain permitted at any frequency. Violations carry fines of up to €100,000. This measure is designed to reduce short-term price jumps at the pumps.
The Gas Station Association (TIV) welcomes the new pricing regulation. "We are getting the sharpest sword that can be drawn against the oil companies," TIV spokesman Herbert Rabl told the "Rheinische Post". "However, we must closely observe whether the law functions as intended. If the market works, then after the price fixing at 12 noon we will see a downward price war that is really something."
Fuel prices rose again over the weekend. For Sunday, the ADAC reported an average price of €2.283 per liter of diesel and €2.078 per liter of gasoline on Monday. Last week, diesel prices in particular reached an interim peak of €2.310, before falling by several cents by Thursday. Since then, according to ADAC, prices have been rising again.
"Given the great unrest and uncertainty in the market, a forecast is extremely difficult," the automobile club explained. However, oil prices rose again at the start of the week. A barrel of Brent crude reference grade cost around $115 on Monday morning. "The oil price is the central driver for changes in fuel prices in normal times," ADAC explained.
Regarding the debate on further measures, Economy Minister Reiche reiterated that she strongly supports raising the commuter allowance. However, there will be no relief measures for the time being. "The coalition has proposed further measures that we are currently reviewing. This review will be completed after Easter."
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