Posted on 06/22/2019 4:28:13 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Are tolls going to be enforced on private drivers? The German government, along with every car owner in the European Union, will finally get a definitive answer to that question on Tuesday. If the European Court of Justice (ECJ) rules in favor of the tolls, all motorists will be charged to drive on German highways.
The fees, known as "vignettes," are to be collected according to the time traveled on the autobahn. For cars registered in Germany, however, owners will get a credit deductible from the motor vehicle tax as compensation, meaning the costs would be offset, and ultimately, Germans would hardly pay any tolls.
Austria, with support from the Netherlands, has lodged a complaint against the scheme. The two countries, which border Germany, argue a levy is not in line with European agreements, as it discriminates against Austrians as well as all other EU citizens. They say Germany would then no longer be in compliance with the EU's ban on discrimination against other member state citizens.
Preliminary decision reached?
Before Tuesday's hearing, it looked as though the court may rule in Germany's favor. At the beginning of February, the ECJ advocate general did not mince words in the expert opinion it provided on the toll proposal, saying Austria's view that non-German EU citizens would be discriminated against in Germany is based on a "fundamental misunderstanding." Foreigners and German vehicle owners cannot be compared because non-Germans are not subject to German motor vehicle tax, the opinion said.
The advocate general's assessment appears to indicate that the court could dismiss Austria's complaint. The opinion is not binding, but in general, the ECJ often follows the advocate general.
(Excerpt) Read more at dw.com ...
Gas pedal flat to the floor...... no problem!
It’s GREAT! to be a Chirman....
Deutchland uber alles....
Wait, so I can get a reimbursement for the gasoline taxes I paid while driving in Germany? That will be a nice little chunk of change.
UNaccountable bureaucratic totalitarians.
I thought gasoline/diesel taxes made the price of fuel $10/gallon. That isn’t enough to pay for the roads?
Nah, two countries bring up a dispute for arbitration
“” “” Austria’s view that non-German EU citizens would be discriminated against in Germany “” “”
That’s gross. Coming from a country charging anyone from abroad no less than 9,25 just to get on their road. That’s cars and LCVs and the truckers pay more.
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