German finance chief wants measures to curb fuel price hike

By FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s finance minister has proposed a “crisis discount”  to dampen the impact of recent fuel price hikes due to the war in Ukraine. German media reported that the fuel subsidy proposed by Finance Minister Christian Lindner could see gas prices cut about 8 U.S. cents a gallon. Lindner said Monday the measure has yet to be agreed upon by the three-party governing coalition, but he hoped Cabinet could approve it as part of a broader package Wednesday. Members of the environmentalist Green party have proposed introducing a highway speed limit to curb fuel use. Conservative opposition lawmakers have called for even bigger fuel subsidies, while environmentalists warn that the proposed discount could disproportionately benefit rich people who drive a lot.