08-05-15 15:34 pm – Source: Reuters
Border crossing is located between Boxmeer and the German Goch on the A77. © ANP
The CDA in the European Parliament requires action by the European Commission against the German plan to levy tolls for foreigners on motorways. Christian Democrat MEP Wim van de Camp is very disappointed that now the Bundesrat (German Upper House), the “bad” plan approved
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The German government mainly wants the non-Germans have to pay for the cost, Van de Camp states today in a statement. The German car drivers get lower road tax to offset the charge. “This is pure discrimination based on nationality. And if we somewhere to be in Brussels, it is discrimination based on nationality. “
The European Commission must still assess whether the plan complies with EU rules. As it is now, it is almost certainly wrong. If necessary, Germany will be dragged before the European Court of Justice, Van de Camp.
The German Senate today approved the plan to raise from next year tolls on highways and provincial roads. Earlier, the Bundestag, the German parliament, approved the introduction of the toll.
Melanie Schultz
Melanie Schultz (Infrastructure and Environment) said earlier today that the Netherlands against Germany which the toll is about to enter. Introducing this toll sticker means a new barrier to international traffic, says the minister.
“The plans dupe Dutch driving in Germany, while Germans themselves be offset by a lower road tax. We look forward to the reaction of Commissioner Bulc this. That judgment is important for the further steps we can take together with other neighboring countries to stop this, “said Schultz.
German toll is disastrous path
Charles Green, director of the Ems Dollart Region, cooperation between border areas in the northern Netherlands and Northwestern Germany, finds it “very disappointing” that Germany chooses final toll on the autobahns and Bundesstrassen. “The toll is a wicked way. The border region is enormous opposition. Germans are afraid that they cost money in terms of purchasing and tourism. He hopes to help the European Commission in Brussels.
Green has particularly difficulty that Germans have the toll paid for, and not foreigners. “We are discriminated against.” He also fears for the safety. “People who live on the border a little further, for example, now driving on the A1, the A37 and the A7 to Germany. Suppose everybody will go on narrow country roads. This is dangerous, for example, people crossing. “
Required
According to Green, the Social Democrats in the German government also opposed, but the toll was a key requirement of the Bavarian Christian Democrats. “From our prime minister I know that even Chancellor Merkel at the toll. It is of course politically, they had to agree. “
The toll must go next year. According to the plan there will be three vignette rates for ten days. For the cleanest cars, foreign motorists counting down for about 5 euro vignette. There is a middle rate of EUR 10 and the heaviest polluters to pay 15 euros for ten days. German motorists must purchase an annual vignette, but are fully compensated by a reduction in road tax.
Christian Democrats
The Bavarian Christian Democrats, which Dobrindt belongs large were in favor of introduction of tolls for foreign motorists on German roads. They feel that they have to contribute to the maintenance. The CSU sister knew her Christian Democratic Party CDU of Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Social Democrats of the SPD, who were initially much more reserved, persuade. Dobrindt thinks the toll to get 513.6 million per year in, but opponents of the tolplannen in Germany think it will be much less.
Neighbouring countries like the Netherlands have strongly opposed the toll, but also in three German states that to another country borders (North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate), there is considerable opposition to the plans. The European Commission has yet to decide whether the plans, according to the European rules. Almost certainly the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg must pronounce the final judgment.
Brussels must now make speed
Now Germany is definitively eliminate tolls on highways and the N-roads, the AA is looking to Brussels. “The European Commission should immediately see what is and is not. Our hope is that the plan falls through, we are not in favor of it. We also ask Brussels to speed, “a spokesman know today.
The German parliament decided in late March to levy tolls on the autobahns and the Bundesstrassen. The Senate could uncooperative in Berlin but today gave the green light. German motorists must purchase an annual vignette, but get that back because their road tax goes down. Foreigners must buy a vignette for ten days and are not compensated for that. There, especially difficulty ANWB. According to the union, there has been discrimination.
Destination
According to the ANWB Germany already benefit from the Dutch. “Germany is the most important holiday destination for Dutch. They give out their money, they refuel there, they pay that amount for the vignette so already. ” The union asks whether Germany proceeds from the tolls at all necessary. “If Germany has problems with overdue maintenance of its roads and money is short, Berlin can also talk to Europe. There is European money for infrastructure, the money they can also get into Europe
(Edited by: Editorial).
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