The Netherlands joins Austria in the lawsuit against Germany!

The Netherlands joined Austria in a lawsuit against Germany because of its plan to 2019 start charging the toll that neighboring countries consider to be discrimination against foreigners and violating European regulations, was announced on Wednesday.

Two months after the Netherlands announced that it would join Austria in the lawsuit, the Dutch Ministry of Transport announced that it filed a lawsuit before the European Court of Justice. It is not known when the court will decide on the case.

"Like Austria and our government, the German toll road bill discriminates and violates the principles of free flow of traffic," the ministry says. Dutch officials estimate that tolls will stay with Dutch drivers up to 100m euros a year.

Germany dismisses the charges and argues that tolls are in line with EU law, but in that country, the parties are opposed by the Green Party, and the Social Democrats are concerned.

"I'm afraid that the Ministry of Transport will spend a lot of money on preparing a toll whose implementation will be prevented by the court," said Vice President of Parliament Soeren Bartol (SPD).

According to Berlin's plan, German drivers would be compensated for the toll by charging them a tax on vehicle taxes. Drivers from other EU members, such as Austria, Italy, France, would not receive such a rebate and would pay a full amount.

Millions of drivers from neighboring countries regularly drive German roads. German tolls should, after being deducted, bring about $ 500 million in investment revenue, but there are some doubts about the amount they should produce.

• 13 Dec, 2017
• 1329 views