Berlin - The price explosion at the pump - now wants the Competition Authority after dozens of complaints from consumers, the oil companies go after and to clarify whether there is price gouging! Because fuel is getting more expensive: On Wednesday, outdated diesel (€ 1.50) back gasoline (cost), on average, 1,49 € per liter.
But not enough gas is expensive again - by a whopping 20%. Consumers can hardly defend themselves. The frustration is growing: In other countries, consumers go to the barricades. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is called for global action against the oil price increase. In Austria, the commuter allowance and the mileage allowance should be increased in order to relieve motorists financially.
In France, masses threaten demos of truck drivers who fear for their existence. In Bulgaria, Spain, as well. In Germany, the Bundeskartellamt, turned a: "If, for any indications of violations of competition law, appropriate actions are taken."
According to the Bundeskartellamt, many consumers are wary of the pricing of petrol and diesel. And if it were only the high gasoline prices. Even food has become more expensive because of high oil prices. They prices were up sharply in May by three percent compared to the previous month.
Plus the gas price shock. Even the energy industry expects that it will be even more expensive. "I think that prices are more expensive in the order of 20 percent, depending on how the companies have bought," said the president of the Association of Energy and Water, Michael Feist. A decoupling of gas prices from oil prices, as requested by politicians, was not expected. Gas is never cheap, predicts Feist.
And what can the client? Few. On Wednesday there was little hope for a consumer before the Federal Court. He had complained against price increases, was that every cent will be scanned for appropriateness. The Federal Supreme Court: A control on the gas tariffs was hardly feasible - especially because all the companies keep secret the buying prices. The ruling followed on 16 July.
