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Volker Wissing (FDP) is to succeed Andreas Scheuer (CSU) as Transport Minister
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CLEMENS BILAN / EPA
Since it has been clear that Volker Wissing is to become the new transport minister, the FDP politician has positioned himself as an advocate for motorists via »Bild«.
On the day after his nomination, Wissing proposed a reduction in fuel prices by reducing energy taxes.
At the weekend he followed up in the tabloid.
"The FDP will ensure that higher energy taxes on diesel fuels are offset by lower vehicle taxes," Wissing told the newspaper.
He warned of additional burdens for the drivers of diesel vehicles.
more on the subject
Mobility plans of the traffic light government: The traffic turnaround by Felix Wadewitz
The background to the statements is a vaguely worded statement in the coalition agreement between the SPD, FDP and the Greens: »With the implementation of the EU Energy Tax Directive, which provides for a tax alignment of diesel fuel and petrol, we will review the tax treatment of diesel vehicles in the vehicle tax. «So far, diesel has been taxed lower than petrol.
From the point of view of climate protection activists, this is problematic because diesel engines are often installed in company cars and heavy SUVs.
Most traffic experts have long been calling for gasoline and diesel fuel to be treated equally in terms of taxation.
Since the road tax for diesel is slightly higher than for gasoline, it would be reduced.
The bottom line is that the costs would then increase in line with the CO2 emissions of the cars.
So far, the lower diesel prices at the petrol station have often had a stronger impact than the higher vehicle tax.
Particular attention is paid to small companies that are still dependent on diesel vehicles, said the transport minister-designate.
Specifically, Wissing named delivery services and craftsmen.
A reform of the energy tax directive should not lead to "excessive burdens" for motorists.
In the course of the negotiations for the traffic light coalition, it was initially expected that the Greens would take over the transport ministry, which is central to climate protection.
While greenhouse gas emissions have fallen in other sectors in recent years, traffic continues to be a major concern for the climate.
But now an FDP politician succeeds Andreas Scheuer (CSU).
"No conclusive concept"
The Greens are growing frustrated with this decision.
It has long been considered impossible that the party could give up the Ministry of Transport.
In addition, the traffic turnaround is not even mentioned in the coalition agreement.
"As before the election, we are missing a coherent overall concept," says Christian Hochfeld, director of the Agora Energiewende think tank.
This is why frustration is growing among the Greens.
At the grassroots level in particular, it was hoped that Germany would take an example from Paris or Copenhagen, where climate-friendly means of transport are promoted.
The party’s mobility experts unanimously let themselves be ripped off by the SPD and FDP.
Green traffic experts vote against coalition agreement
A hastily convened video conference of the Green Mobility Working Group on Friday evening lasted much longer than usual.
Transport scientists first calculated that the plans of the traffic light coalition to reduce CO2 in transport would not even come close to the goals of the old government.
Even the Greens who were involved in the traffic light negotiations were disaffected, report participants.
The party leadership let there be a lack of support and sacrificed mobility, perhaps in order to achieve more in other departments.
In a vote at the end, according to one participant, the majority voted in favor of rejecting the coalition agreement.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CSU) ironically looks at the coalition agreement between the SPD, Greens and FDP.
Scheuer told the dpa news agency: "It's nice that the traffic lights continue my work over the past few years." He could have written the contract.
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