Germany is strongly objecting to the European Commission's proposed legislation on carbon dioxide emissions - je 20.12.2007

Germany is strongly objecting to the European Commission's proposed legislation on carbon dioxide emissions from cars. Chacellor Angela Merkel says measures proposed Wednesday would disproportionately burden German carmakers. Producers of heavy luxury vehicles such as Porsche, which has by far the highest emissions of any major carmaker, BMW and Mercedes-Benz could face billions of euros in fines under the new legislation -- unless they change course. EU Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen, who is German, dissented from the proposal and boycotted the news conference at which it was announced. +++SYN++++