Germany decides to cut fuel prices - Government approves 1.6 billion euro package to cope with energy crisis
The German government has decided on fuel price relief for consumers and businesses, through a package worth 1.6 billion euros, ending a debate over how to respond to a rise in oil prices due to the war in Iran.
The energy tax on diesel and gasoline will be reduced by around 0.17 euros per liter for two months, the conservative CDU party and its center-left SPD coalition partners said on Monday.
The Iran war has caused the largest disruption to global energy supplies, and a planned US blockade of Iranian ports and coastal areas is further driving up crude oil prices.
"This war is the real cause of the problems we are experiencing in our country as well," Chancellor Friedrich Merz told a news conference. He added that the coalition was doing everything it could to address the problems caused by the war.
The ruling coalition also agreed to allow companies to pay a relief bonus of 1,000 euros to each employee, excluding payroll taxes and social security fees.
In talks over the weekend, the partners appeared to have calmed a debate that erupted on Friday when the Economy Minister, an ally of Merz's party, criticized measures suggested by the Social Democrat Finance Minister, focused on a special tax on oil companies' windfall profits.
The government was under pressure to act because Europe's largest economy was already facing weak growth and rising global tariffs.
On Monday, Merz said Germany opposes a planned 2027 tightening of European Union CO2 taxes on hybrid vehicles and would argue in Brussels for a more "technology-friendly" approach, including recognition of cars with renewable fuels.
The government is also preparing a broader income tax reform for low- and middle-income groups from January 2027.
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