Berlin prosecutors are investigating ex-German state minister Eckart von Klaeden over a potential conflict of interest after Chancellor Angela Merkel’s former ally joined carmaker Daimler as a lobbyist, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors confirmed on Sunday after a media report.
Motorists could soon be able to park on double yellow lines for 15 minutes as part of proposals to help Britain’s high street shops.
Plans being considered by ministers would allow shoppers to park for up to 15 minutes on double yellow lines, without being subject to a fine. Parking and waiting on double yellow lines is currently prohibited for most vehicles, with exceptions for commercial deliveries and blue badge holders.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has reaffirmed her target to bring 1 million electric cars onto German roads by the end of the decade, despite weak interest from consumers.
Her government is hosting a two-day industry summit in Berlin to promote the fledgling technology, after fewer than 3,000 electric cars were sold in Germany last year out of a total market that exceeded 3 million.
Companies that fail to pass on the benefits of falling oil prices to motorists at the pump are being targeted by the government. Under plans being considered, oil firms that profiteer from decreasing prices would be named and shamed, reported The Sunday Times.
Last month transport secretary Justine Greening warned oil giants and supermarkets against overcharging drivers. ‘If they think that was a soundbite by the secretary of state and we’re going to go away, they can forget about it because it wasn’t,” said transport minister Norman Baker. He added: ‘We’re not going to stand by and see motorists not get a fair deal.’Fuel retailers are accused of passing on price increases quickly but delaying price cuts to increase profit margins.
