In a dispute within the of the Federal Government, published on the same day. They show both increased participation in the over the planned fuel price cap Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig sharply criticised the draft bill by Federal Economy Minister Katherina Reiche in an interview with the Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. Hubig said a review showed that the draft, in its current form, could remain “dead law”; it must not end up as “a paper tiger”. Hubig called for swift changes so that consumers would actually benefit at the pump ([presseportal.de](https://www.presseportal.de/pm/58964/6386339?utm_source=openai))
According to the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the draft legislation prepared by Reiche provides for a mechanism under which state-imposed price caps would take effect only if fuel prices in Germany rise more sharply than the EU average for several weeks. Critics, including parts of the SPD, argue that the proposed three-week threshold and other requirements could make it practically impossible to apply the cap. The Economy Ministry, by contrast, stresses the need to ensure that interventions are proportionate, so as to avoid supply disruptions or market distortion. ([Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.de](https://www.bundeswirtschaftsministerium.de/Redaktion/DE/Expose/Energie/kraftstoffmassnahmenpaket.html?utm_source=openai))
The governing coalition had agreed to introduce the mechanism by 1 January 2027 at the latest; it is intended to replace the fuel discount due to expire on 31 December 2026. Although the federal government had already agreed on a relief package in a joint statement, disagreement continues over the practical effectiveness of the proposed legal framework and the policy direction between the Economy and Justice ministries. The federal government presented its fuel measures plan in September 2026; the Economy Ministry has been working on the detailed legislation since then. ([bundesregierung.de](https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/bund-und-laender-beschliessen-spritpreis-entlastungspaket-2453198?utm_source=openai))
From the perspective of law and consumer protection, Hubig says the key question is whether the provisions are worded so that they deliver the protection intended. She therefore called for the intervention thresholds and enforcement rules to be reviewed, so that the cap “makes a tangible difference at the pump”. The Economy Ministry also told the media that a balance must be struck between market intervention and security of supply. Hubig did not give figures in the interview for the financial scale or possible market effects; the ministries’ assessments so far differ, and no reliable figures are yet available. ([presseportal.de](https://www.presseportal.de/pm/58964/6386339?utm_source=openai))
Further work on the bill and possible amendments will be considered at the next coordination meeting between the ministries. If the federal government sticks to its early-2027 timetable, little time will remain for formal amendments and legal reviews.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).