Surprise from Luxembourg: A key expert at the European court of justice (ECJ) has toll from Europe legal point of view, no objections to the planned in Germany for passenger Cars. The advocate General at the ECJ sees no indication that the EU would be disadvantaged foreigners by the German toll. Austria had sued Germany before the ECJ, and was supported by the Netherlands. The advocate-General suggests to the court that the breach of contract dismiss the action of Austria against Germany. Whether the court does this is open. In the majority of cases, the ECJ based on the recommendation of the advocate General.

So it is now all the more likely that the controversial Car-toll, as planned launch in 2020 in Germany. The plans, which the CSU has its Bundestag election campaign in 2013, largely disputed, that all motorists pay a user fee on roads. Motorists should purchase a vignette. In the case of foreign vehicles, ten day, in addition to the annual vignette – and two-month vignettes offered. In the case of cars registered in Germany, will be given to the holder, in return, a credit for the motor Vehicle tax. So the cost of the Vignette is to be fully compensated for. Against this privileging of domestic holders Austria and the Netherlands had protested. The advocate-General but came to the conclusion that Austria’s Argument of discrimination of foreigners based on a “fundamental misunderstanding”. Foreign and German vehicle owners could not be compared, because foreign drivers would never be obligated to pay German vehicle tax.

The toll for Cars is also controversial in Germany. It is criticized, for example, that for the enormous bureaucratic expense income from an estimated 500 million euros per year is very low. The Federal Minister of transport, Andreas Scheuer (CSU) responded with relief to the evaluation of the advocate General. Scheuer said: “The toll is in conformity with European law.” The evaluation of the evaluator was an important next step to bring the road toll System in October 2020. The CSU land group chief Alexander Dobrindt said: “The toll-Maulerei the Austrians must now have finally come to an end.” The members of the European Parliament Markus Ferber (CSU) takes a similar view: “the bottom line is this, to involve all the manner to the funding of roads in Germany. Our toll collection system is fair and reasonable.”

Also in Austria, are required to road user charges. There are for all drivers who use motorways, the obligation, to buy an annual Vignette. In addition, there are motorways, on which the route charges are required. Austria’s transport Minister Norbert Hofer (FPÖ) announced that it plans to consider a similar model for Austria, it should fail in the action of Austria against the German Car toll before the ECJ actually.

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Minister of transport Scheuer Start the Car announces toll for October 2020

First of all, the EU had a Commission’s concerns about the German Car toll. The Commission initiated a Treaty violation procedure against Germany. However, it then came to an agreement between Brussels and Berlin. The Federal government changed its price expectations for the short-term vignette, and the tax relief. Thus, the Commission, with your concerns allayed.