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Drivers at a gas station in Berlin:
Photo: Carsten Koall / dpa
The price of diesel at German petrol stations rose to an all-time high on Sunday: According to the ADAC, drivers had to pay a nationwide average of 1.555 euros per liter - more than ever before.
Gasoline is also nearing its peak.
Now the middle class is demanding immediate relief for the economy and consumers.
"From the perspective of medium-sized companies, the mineral oil tax should be temporarily reduced and the commuter flat-rate increased noticeably," said the chief economist of the Federal Association of Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW), Hans-Jürgen Völz, to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
"The explosion in fuel prices is putting a massive strain on the economy, endangering jobs, growth and prosperity," said Völz.
"The corona crisis threatens to be seamlessly replaced by a veritable economic crisis at the end of the year, while other European countries are recovering economically around us."
Völz also worries that unions could enforce higher collective bargaining agreements.
"It is already evident that the additional costs for transport, heating and materials passed on to consumers with a time lag will lead to higher wage demands," he said.
"In any case, the wage-price spiral is already in motion." Monetary officials speak of a "second round effect" in this context: if rising inflation leads to higher collective agreements and thus wage costs, this in turn can fuel inflation.
The price of crude oil and the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro are decisive for the development of fuel prices.
The price of crude oil is currently lower than it was in 2012, but the dollar is significantly stronger than it was nine years ago.
That makes oil imports to Europe more expensive.
The CO₂ levy introduced at the beginning of the year also plays a role, which, according to ADAC, has an effect of around seven to eight cents per liter when refueling this year.
In the case of diesel, the rising demand for heating oil in autumn also increases the price at the pumps.
You can find out more about who actually earns money from the highest prices for diesel and gasoline here.
aar / dpa / AFP
