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Germany news: Lawmakers vote to lower fuel tax amid high gas prices

German federal lawmakers passed legislation temporarily lowering fuel taxes by €0.17 per liter to ease sky-high gas prices, though critics argue the measure fails to target low-income consumers and oil companies may not pass savings to customers. Separately, Free Democrat (FDP) politician Wolfgang Kubicki faced widespread rebuke for crude remarks about Chancellor Friedrich Merz and challenging the taboo on cooperating with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), while Fridays for Future called nationwide strikes over energy policy, Porsche workers risk missing bonuses, and German seniors confront pension and rising living cost concerns.