Germany: parking row brews as Green mayor plans to increase fees by 600%

Controversial proposals for Tubingen are an attempt to deter car use in the city, with larger vehicles paying the most

The mayor of the southern German city of Tubingen has attracted praise and scorn alike for a new plan to increase parking fees by 600% in an effort to discourage cars - especially large ones - from the city.

Boris Palmer, a member of the Greens party, has won initial support for his proposal, which would see the annual parking fee for SUVs rise from 30 euros to 180.