The FDP parliamentary group wants to sue against the proposed by the Grand Coalition new CO2 price for diesel, gasoline, heating oil and natural gas before the Federal Constitutional Court. Currently, MEPs are exploring the possibility of a judicial review.
In such a case, the Federal Constitutional Court examines whether a legal norm is constitutional. The opposition doubts this with theCO2 price in the form planned by Union and SPD.
"We will examine the law legally," said the climate policy spokesman for the FDP faction, Lukas Köhler. "Should the constitutional doubts harden, we will seek a dialogue with the Greens and the Left on how to deal responsibly with the situation."
From the point of view of the FDP Group, a judicial review would then be a "meaningful step to avert further damage," he said. In order to initiate the procedure, in this case the votes of a quarter of the deputies of the Bundestag are necessary. FDP, Left and Green have enough seats together.
Criticism from different directions
Up to now, the climate package has provided for: Anyone bringing fossil fuels to the market must purchase pollution rights for the resulting CO2 emissions - this applies, for example, to refineries.
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The price of these certificates should form over the long term about supply and demand in the market. At first, however, there should be a slowly rising fixed price - so that the CO2 price in the first years acts like a tax. There are doubts as to whether that is permissible.
The criticism of the factions on the plan of the grand coalition comes from different directions: Green and left want the CO2 price as a surcharge on the energy tax, the FDP wants to extend the already existing EU emissions trading for the energy sector and parts of the industry on traffic and buildings, so heating.