German Bundestag to vote today on scrapping gas transit fee also paid by Czechia

Berlin, 20 December (CTK correspondent) – Germany’s Bundestag will vote today on an amendment to a law that abolishes the controversial gas transit fee, which Czechia has also paid until now. Berlin promised neighboring countries in May that it would abolish the fee from next year. However, the breakup of Germany’s coalition government has complicated the passage of the amendment. The government’s bill could also receive support from some opposition members.

Introduced in 2022, the fee was intended to cover the costs of storing gas and ensuring security of supply. It applied to companies and consumers in Germany and to importers in neighboring countries that buy gas through German pipelines. However, Germany’s neighbors and the European Commission criticized it.

The amendment to Germany’s Energy Act stipulates that from 1 January 2025 the fee will be charged only domestically, and not at cross-border points. The governing parties, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens, are expected to support it in today’s vote. The FDP, which was part of the government until November and is now in opposition, may also join them. Members of the opposition conservative CDU/CSU alliance are also expected to vote for the bill, as CDU chairman Friedrich Merz indicated on Monday.