The climate package of the grand coalition is under attack from many sides - even the Greens criticize the agreements. Particularly controversial is the planned increase in commuter tax. But just in the topic Green CEO Robert Habeck revealed in a TV interview knowledge gaps. So he showed in the ARD "report from Berlin" uncertain about the effect and design of the distance package.
The background: Part of the climate package is to increase the commuter rate from the 21st kilometer from 2021 onwards from 30 to 35 cents per kilometer, until the end of 2026. This amount may be deducted from the taxable income.
Habeck called the planned increase an "incentive" to drive as far as possible. "If you increase the price of petrol by 3 cents, but increase the commuter rate by 5 cents, then it is more worthwhile to drive by car than by train," he said. Asked that the commuter commuter tax applies to all means of transport, the Greens boss stuttered: "Then it's just the reimbursement of the train ticket, and the ... or will that ... then ... I do not know."
This attacked, inter alia, Social Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD): "The Green Party leader, the commuters and the climate: much opinion, little idea," he wrote on Twitter.
The Greens boss, the commuters and the climate: a lot of opinion, little idea. pic.twitter.com/Qp0qhGTx0P
- Hubertus Heil (@hubertus_heil) September 22, 2019The Greens had previously criticized the decisions of the Climate Cabinet violently and announced that they want to re-sharpen the Federal Council.