According to the ‘Rheinische Post’, the proposed measure seeks to prolong the current reduction of the mineral oil tax by 17 cents, which is set to expire at the end of June, contingent upon the resolution of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. Federal Minister of Transport Volker Schnieder has indicated that he does not rule out the possibility of extending the fuel tax discount. However, economic experts express skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such a policy, noting that during the initial days of the tax reduction, fuel stations passed on only a fraction of the tax cut to consumers, with average reductions of 12 cents for gasoline and just 4 cents for diesel, according to the ifo Institute.