The German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has turned its attention to fuel prices in Poland, which fell after the government relaunched its CPN program. According to the newspaper, drivers from Germany can now save more than 40 cents per liter by crossing the eastern border.
The German title first flagged Poland’s falling fuel prices last weekend. It noted that the country was introducing a cap on fuel prices, made possible by a windfall tax on fuel companies.
The publication, discussed by Deutsche Welle, referred to a law signed at the beginning of this month by Karol Nawrocki. After the president’s move, the government brought back the CPN program, which sets maximum fuel prices across the country.
Berlin unlikely to copy Warsaw
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung stressed that introducing a similar solution in Germany would be difficult to carry out. The reason is that the CDU party of Chancellor Friedrich Merz is not convinced about a windfall tax.
The daily returned to the subject of Polish fuel prices in its Monday edition, pointing out that refueling in Poland may be tempting for Germans living near the border.
– From the drivers’ point of view, the conclusion is clear: refueling in Poland is more profitable than ever – noted the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
The paper added that filling up on petrol or diesel just beyond Germany’s eastern border can save motorists more than 40 cents per liter.
In its latest edition, the daily stressed that Warsaw had adopted solutions that the SPD has long demanded. According to the newspaper, circles linked to Merz’s grouping also initially backed lowering VAT on petrol and diesel, even though such a step would conflict with an EU directive.
– Poles were not bothered by it – commented the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung.
A windfall tax and Germany’s constitution
The newspaper observed that if the German Christian Democrats chose a similar move, it could be seen as contradicting the pro-European image they cultivate.
The daily also pointed out that although Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil, linked to the SPD, favors a windfall tax, such a move would be at odds with the German constitution. The Basic Law states that federal authorities cannot introduce new kinds of taxes.
Adopting the solution in Germany would only be possible if the tax were introduced at the EU level, according to the article. The SPD backs pushing such a proposal in Brussels, but it would require unanimity, and the European Commission has not signaled any such intention so far.
The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung noted that such a solution had already been used in the EU, but proceedings are currently underway in European courts. Besides the model adopted by Poland, the SPD is calling for a price cap modeled on Luxembourg or Belgium.
The Economy Ministry opposes that idea, arguing that it could pose a threat to the continuity of supplies.
Źródło: Polsat News
