To drive, or not to drive: Germans rethink love of cars

FILE PHOTO: A traffic jam is seen as activists (not pictured) hang on a bridge of A5 highway near Frankfurt, Germany October 26, 2020. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

BERLIN (Reuters) - Many Germans would support a car-free day a week to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas imports, a poll showed on Friday, as soaring petrol and diesel prices squeeze both households and Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government.

The Civey poll for broadcaster WELT showed that 48% would support a weekly car-free Sunday to help reduce imports of Russian oil, which leaves many Germans with a sense of guilt that their driving habits are bankrolling President Vladimir Putin. Some 46% oppose the idea.