Kommentar: Wer den Spritpreis deckelt, riskiert leere Tanks
Ob Höchstpreis oder Tankrabatt – wenn der Staat auf diese Weise in den Markt eingreift, landet er bei der Planwirtschaft. Drei Argumente, warum das die Versorgung Deutschlands gefährdet.
The proposed plan by the German coalition to introduce a fuel price cap ranks among the top three instances of economic irrationality, according to the article from the Handelsblatt. Such state-set maximum prices, along with other price ceilings and subsidies like the fuel rebate, are paving the way for a return to a command economy.
There is no need for anyone to wish for its success, as the Federal Minister for Economy, Katharina Reiche, is counting on it. The plans put forth by Reiche's department do not go as far as the Social Democratic Party (SPD) might envision for a new regulation. While the coalition has agreed to limit fuel and diesel prices following the Iran crisis, setting prices by the state is nothing more than a reflexive populist move by politics that ultimately results in wasting taxpayers' money.
When prices are artificially low, there is no incentive for citizens to conserve fuel. Those seeking to undermine the market will eventually realize that the state's financial capability comes to an end.
Written by urgent.news from Handelsblatt's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
