SPD considers breaking up powerful oil corporations in Germany

The SPD parliamentary group in the Bundestag is considering measures to restructure the German mineral oil market. According to a draft resolution, the group is evaluating the possibility of breaking up oil corporations that hold significant market power to increase price transparency and competition.

The proposal suggests that the current market is not functioning correctly, noting that fuel prices have risen significantly due to geopolitical tensions, such as the conflict involving Iran. The SPD draft argues that it is unacceptable for mineral oil manufacturers to profit excessively from such crises by raising prices quickly while lowering them slowly.

In addition to antitrust actions, the SPD is considering a fuel price cap, similar to models used in Luxembourg, to limit profit margins when the market fails to serve consumers. The group intends to seek changes to antitrust laws to provide the Federal Cartel Office with more tools to regulate the market.