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ECJ set to rule on German autobahn tolls
Deutsche Welle ^ | June 18, 2019 | Kersten Knipp

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 ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Foreign Affairs; Germany; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: austria; autobahn; automotive; construction; drivers; ecj; eu; europe; funding; germany; highways; infrastructure; maintenance; netherlands; roads; tolls; transportation; vignettes

1 posted on 06/22/2019 4:28:14 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
collected according to the time traveled on the autobahn

Gas pedal flat to the floor...... no problem!

2 posted on 06/22/2019 4:33:26 PM PDT by Lockbox
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To: Lockbox

It’s GREAT! to be a Chirman....

Deutchland uber alles....


3 posted on 06/22/2019 4:36:41 PM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Oh, the 'ecj'. Well, in that case, 💩🚽💶
4 posted on 06/22/2019 4:49:58 PM PDT by rktman ( #My2ndAmend! ----- Enlisted in the Navy in '67 to protect folks rights to strip my rights. WTH?)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Foreigners and German vehicle owners cannot be compared because non-Germans are not subject to German motor vehicle tax, the opinion said.

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.

5 posted on 06/22/2019 5:21:56 PM PDT by PAR35
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
And the European Union wonders why the Brits are leaving??? Swedes deciding if German Autobahns will have tolls.Italians deciding if Britain's Heath Service is required to dispense Botox.
6 posted on 06/22/2019 5:40:37 PM PDT by Gay State Conservative (A joke: Comey,Brennan and Lynch walk into a Barr...)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

UNaccountable bureaucratic totalitarians.


7 posted on 06/22/2019 6:31:59 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

I thought gasoline/diesel taxes made the price of fuel $10/gallon. That isn’t enough to pay for the roads?


8 posted on 06/22/2019 9:42:23 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana
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To: PGalt

Nah, two countries bring up a dispute for arbitration


9 posted on 06/22/2019 10:54:17 PM PDT by Cronos (Obama hated Assad as he wasn't a Muslim but an Alawite)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks

“” “” 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.


10 posted on 06/23/2019 2:02:41 AM PDT by NorseViking
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