The Netherlands said Wednesday it will join Austria in dragging Germany before Europe's top court in an increasingly bitter battle over Berlin's controversial plan to impose tolls on its motorways.
Germany has finally come to an agreement with the European Commission on its new road toll, but neighbouring states who most often use its motorways are not pleased.
A proposed road toll that the European Commission had long called "discriminatory" is moving forward after Brussels and Berlin said they have come closer to an agreement.
The European Commission on Thursday said it is taking Germany to the EU Court of Justice because of the country's plan to impose a road toll that would mainly charge foreign drivers.
The European Commission demanded Germany make changes to its plan for an Autobahn toll on foreign drivers - or else face a challenge before the Court of Justice.
The European Commission launched legal action against Germany on Tuesday, accusing the government of illegally applying the national minimum wage to a number of trucking and haulage companies from Austria, Poland and Hungary.
After months of bickering among the coalition parties, the cabinet finally agreed to put a road toll for foreigners before parliament, but open questions about its financial viability and legality remain.
Drivers who rarely use Germany’s motorways will be able to pay a reduced rate under plans being drawn up by the transport ministry to charge motorists.
Germany needs to institute a time- and location-dependent toll system on all streets to help cut the costs of too much traffic, said Hans-Werner Sinn, head of the influential Ifo economics institute, in an article published on Saturday.
Transportation Minister Peter Ramsauer sparked a row over the introduction of road tolls in Germany on Thursday, flagging higher charges for car drivers then quickly backing off as the debate heated up.
