| Author (Corporate) | Deutsche Welle |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Article |
| Series Details | 24.03.17 |
| Publication Date | 24/03/2017 |
| Content Type | News |
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German Parliament's lower chamber approved on 24 March 2016 a scheme introducing road tolls for cars travelling on autobahns (motorways). The prices would be linked to environmental criteria. This road charging system was originally approved by the parliament in 2015 to hit foreign drivers only, but the plan was kept on hold after the European Commission complained it would have a discriminatory effect, therefore breaching EU rules. An agreement between the two sides was reached in December 2016 following the implementation of some changes to the original scheme. All drivers - German and non-German - would pay the tolls. However, German-registered drivers would be refunded the payment thanks to a matching reduction on their motor vehicle tax bill. The European Parliament approved on 15 March 2017 a resolution condemning the system. The German upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, accepted the new law on the 31 March 2017. Austria's Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology Jörg Leichtfried immediately said that Austria would launch a legal challenge and called themtoll 'discrimination based on nationality'. |
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| Source Link | http://dw.com/p/2ZukN |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
| Countries / Regions | Austria, Germany |
