Politicians shouldn't intervene when oil prices are high, German Finance Minister Peer Steinbrueck said Monday.
He dismissed French President Nicholas Sarkozy's proposal last week to cap sales tax on fuel, noting that European Union governments in 2005 agreed to maintain tax levels.
Steinbrueck, who spoke to journalists on his way into a meeting of euro zone finance ministers, said inflation is "a challenge" at current levels. Inflation in the 15-state region was 3.6% in May, up from 3.3% in April and well-above the European Central Bank's 2% ceiling.
Steinbrueck noted that the ECB's main task is fighting inflation.