Motorists have nothing to smile about when looking at the fuel bill. Should profits from mineral oil companies be skimmed off if the companies benefit indirectly from the Ukraine war? The FDP is against it.
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr has warned of an excess profit tax on extra profits from oil companies from the Ukraine war.
Dürr told the Tagesspiegel: “I don’t understand the advocates of an excess profit tax at all. This is playing with fire, because the corporations could simply pass on the additional taxes to the citizens. In the end, private households would pay this excess profit tax. We should be guardians of the market economy and not the price driver.”
The states of Bremen, Berlin and Thuringia are demanding a special tax on high additional profits from companies as a result of the Ukraine war. While Habeck, SPD and Left are in favor of such an excess profit tax, the FDP and CDU are not enthusiastic. Germany already has high tax rates, Dürr said. ‘That’s okay too. But if we go one step further, innovative companies will no longer come to us. Or fewer new companies are founded.”
Nevertheless, one wants to take a close look to see whether the tank discount is passed on 100 percent. “Antitrust law is the right instrument for this.” Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had announced that he wanted to tighten antitrust law. Dürr said: “When we decided on the tank discount, it was our homework for Mr. Habeck to tighten up antitrust law. But it has to be according to law and order. There’s no use intervening and then being sued by the corporations.”
Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann told the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday): “The state can skim off profits made with criminal offenses. I am open to expanding this antitrust tool and siphoning off profits made from illegal price fixing.” However, the problem of proof remains the problem, so that this is done in accordance with the rule of law.
According to Habeck’s plans, competition watchdogs should, among other things, be able to skim off profits if companies abuse their market power. According to Habeck, profits can theoretically already be skimmed off under current antitrust law. However, this has so far been difficult to apply because of the necessary evidence.
Buschmann described a corresponding review of antitrust law as “correct”. But he also said that the tank discount worked and was “well received”. He also emphasized that the examination of antitrust law had nothing to do with the so-called excess profit tax.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
