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Finance Minister Lindner (FDP) at a press conference in Madrid: "Extraction of oil and gas in the North Sea"
Photo: IMAGO/Florian Gaertner / IMAGO/photothek
Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (FDP) has spoken to the debate about rising fuel prices and a ban on imports of Russian gas and oil.
Lindner continues to reject a temporary reduction in VAT from 19 to seven percent for petrol and diesel, as demanded by parts of the CDU, despite the record prices at petrol stations.
"If the Union calls for a so-called fuel price brake, then they have to say what they want to cut in the budget," Lindner told the "Tagesspiegel" (Sunday edition).
»Or she has to admit that she is willing to take on new debts.«
Contrary to the assumption of many, the Treasury will not get rich from the rising fuel prices, said the Federal Minister of Finance.
"If a higher proportion of a household's disposable income is spent on fuel, the VAT will be shifted, but the revenue will not increase," says Lindner.
Instead, people held back with consumption elsewhere.
The Greens are demanding a flat-rate energy bill
In the meantime, Green leader Ricarda Lang brought up another demand to relieve consumers in the face of rising energy and food prices: Lang called for the rapid introduction of a so-called energy money.
"Many people suffer very acutely from the rising prices, when heating, at the pump or in the supermarket," Lang told the "Bild am Sonntag".
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Green leader Ricarda Lang in early February in Berlin
Photo: Britta Pedersen / dpa
The energy money should be paid to all citizens equally.
"This means that everyone has more money in their account, and people with little money benefit the most," says Lang.
In the past, the Greens had called for a lump-sum energy bonus, which is paid out at the beginning of each year.
Lindner against speed limit and import ban
Lindner also rejected a temporary speed limit as a measure to reduce fuel consumption.
Because of the high fuel prices, there is a natural impulse to consume less and drivers can also take their foot off the accelerator pedal of their own accord, says Lindner.
In view of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, environmental groups had once again called for a speed limit on German autobahns.
According to scientists, such a speed limit could significantly reduce Germany's fuel consumption in the transport sector and also reduce CO₂ emissions.
Lindner also rejected a general ban on imports of Russian gas and oil.
"Our aim must be to put maximum pressure on Russia and at the same time maintain our strategic staying power for a very long time." That's why Germany shouldn't question its energy supply unnecessarily, said Lindner.
Lindner criticizes the ban on new drilling in the North and Baltic Seas
Instead, Lindner suggested examining the ban on new oil and gas drilling in the North and Baltic Seas, which the traffic light coalition had agreed on.
"We have to question the coalition agreement's stipulation that we do not want to continue mining oil and gas in the North Sea," said the FDP leader.
"Due to the development of world market prices, this seems to be becoming more economical."
Germany will still need oil and gas, at least for a transitional period.
"In light of the changed geopolitical background, I think it's advisable to examine our country's entire energy strategy without prohibiting thought," he appealed to the Greens to be open to expanding domestic oil and gas production and to support new drilling permits.
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