The German government's plan to cut mineral oil tax by 17 cents per litre, announced this week as relief for drivers amid soaring energy prices, has been met with indifference and frustration rather than gratitude. Interviews at a petrol station in Berlin-Moabit — informally used by Bundestag (German parliament) drivers — revealed that many motorists consider the discount too modest, noting that taxes already account for over 60 percent of the pump price, while others argued the savings would simply be absorbed by oil companies. The lukewarm reception suggests the coalition government faces an uphill battle convincing the public that the temporary, two-month measure meaningfully addresses the cost-of-living pressures fuelled by the war in Ukraine.