German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer has called on international oil companies to cut their petrol prices, even though his Greens party has long advocated higher energy prices to promote conservation.

Speaking at an election campaign rally in Berlin, Fischer said he suspected oil companies were using the recent global market turmoil to exploit consumers.
“I see the higher petrol prices and the first question I ask is: What are the reasons for that from the oil concerns?” Fischer said, jumping into the heated issue of surging energy prices that is threatening to hijack the September 18 election.
“Are the price increases justified or is it simply a case of making profits,” the vice chancellor told some 2,000 supporters.