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SPD leader Klingbeil questions the gas levy

2022-09-23T06:21:26.975Z


Despite the nationalization of Uniper or the Gazprom subsidiary Sefe, Economics Minister Habeck is sticking to the controversial gas levy. The resistance within the traffic light coalition, on the other hand, is now growing significantly.


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Lars Klingbeil: Wants things to be fair

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Sina Schuldt / dpa

In the dispute over the gas levy, SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil spoke out in favor of reviewing the controversial instrument in view of the nationalization of energy importers such as Uniper or the Gazprom subsidiary Sefe.

"I support the path that Robert Habeck suggested here," Klingbeil told the editorial network Germany (RND) about Uniper's nationalization.

»But I also want to make it clear: the gas surcharge now needs to be put to the test.«

SPD claims to have had concerns from the start

Never before has a federal government had to make so many serious decisions from day one, said Klingbeil.

"In such a situation, a government also needs the strength to reconsider and correct paths." That has now happened with the state's entry into Uniper - it has turned out that this is the better way.

The gas surcharge is intended to support gas importers who have very high replacement procurement costs due to a lack of Russian supplies.

Despite the planned nationalization of Uniper, the federal government wants to stick to the instrument, which is to be introduced on October 1, for the time being.

Economics Minister Habeck announced changes to the Energy Security Act on Thursday in order to exclude so-called free riders from the levy.

According to the Green politician, the changes are to be decided by the cabinet on September 28th.

According to party leader Klingbeil, the SPD had reservations about the instrument of the gas levy from the outset.

The goal behind it is and remains correct: "It's about supporting the gas supply infrastructure." But it has to be fair.

Energy solos as an alternative?

In particular, the Union and medium-sized companies are pushing for an end to the surcharge that gas consumers have to pay – and from which the future state-owned company Uniper in particular could benefit.

However, with the faction deputy Matthias Miersch, a leading SPD politician had already expressed his criticism and suggested alternatives.

"Everything is connected with everything else, so that an overall concept has to be developed quickly," said Miersch.

As an alternative to a "legally highly uncertain and one-sided" gas surcharge, excess profits in the electricity sector could be skimmed off, budget funds used and a "performance-related energy obligation" introduced.

Habeck, on the other hand, had defended the levy as a way to keep the company stable on the market.

This would allow gas importers to pass on their higher costs to consumers ahead of schedule.

Sometimes they are already suffering severely.

apr/dpa

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2022-09-23

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