Frugal Germans are driving into Poland to fill up as petrol prices soar due to Iran’s oil supply cuts, highlighting public discontent with government response.
SLUBICE: Frugal Germans are crossing the border into Poland to buy cheaper petrol as pump prices surge.
The price spike follows Iran’s move to choke global oil supplies in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.
According to the German Motorists’ Association ADAC, a litre of Super E10 petrol now costs 2.01 euros and diesel 2.13 euros. These figures represent increases of about 15% and 24% respectively from February levels.
Some bargain-hunting Germans told AFP they were taking no chances despite government measures.
Economy Minister Katherina Reiche said the government would limit petrol stations to raising prices a maximum of once per day.
“I need to do a lot of driving next week and petrol is cheaper here,” said Joerg, a 50-year-old insurance worker.
Planning to cross Germany to visit his sister, he crossed into the Polish town of Slubice from Frankfurt an der Oder to fill his tank.
“I would have preferred to spend the money over there, rather than here,” he told AFP. “But you have to look after yourself.”
The Polish station sells diesel for just 7.73 zlotys (1.81 euros) thanks to lower VAT and fuel duty rates.
This has added to a sense that Germany’s government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is remote from public concerns.
“I think that it can’t go on like this forever,” Joerg said of the price rises. “There’s already a great deal of discontent.”
Industrial mechanic Melanie Adam said her monthly trip from Berlin for cheaper fuel and cigarettes was paying off more than ever.
“It’s just easier for all Germans to pop over here, fill up, than to do it over there,” she said.
She added that the German government should lower environmental taxes.
“It works in Poland. Why does it work here but not in Germany? That’s the question.”
A Ministry of Finance spokeswoman said the government was not profiting from the price rises.
She pointed out that VAT was the only tax whose takings increased with the fuel price.
Criticism in car-mad Germany has grown, with politicians calling for more action.
“In my view, it’s not enough simply to say that you’re only allowed to raise the price once a day,” said Markus Soeder, head of Merz’s Bavarian CSU sister party.
More should be done “to tackle potential price gouging”, he added.
Joerg agreed, telling AFP the government should do more for drivers.
“We should try to help ourselves as long as the war is on,” he said.
He added that things could nevertheless be worse.
“I’m happy to live here,” he said. “Because I can get to Poland. Not everyone knows about that.”
