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For the new SPD leadership, it must feel like an early Christmas present. The federal and state governments have achieved a breakthrough in the climate package - and have agreed, among other things, on a higher CO2 entry price. This was exactly what the new SPD leaders Saskia Esken and Norbert Walter-Borjans had asked for.
Although they had not negotiated themselves, the two were clearly proud on Monday: "The climate package is now much better," said Walter-Borjans after a meeting of the new party executive. 25 instead of 10 euros per ton of CO2 - that's a clear signal. "Movement has come in," added Esken, the agreement was a good first step.
The new SPD chairmen can thank the Greens. The Greens had criticized the CO2 price as ineffective and threatened to block the climate package in the Federal Council. All sides can apparently now live with the compromise - the green GroKo worked.
The agreement was reached at a secret meeting in the Berlin State Representation of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This was preceded by meetings of the mediation committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat or a specially created working group last week.
Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD), Volker Bouffier, Armin Laschet (both CDU), Markus Söder (CSU) and Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) attended the decisive session on Sunday. In addition, Finance Minister and SPD Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Chancellor Helge Braun from the CDU, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt and for the Greens their Bundestag faction leader Anton Hofreiter were involved.
Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and the party chairmen Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer (CDU), Esken / Walter-Borjans and Annalena Baerbock and Robert Habeck (both Greens) were reportedly informed by telephone.
The Conciliation Committee has to formally decide on a result on Wednesday, which could then be approved by the Federal Council and the Bundestag on Friday.
- What does the compromise look like?
Actually, the CO2 price was not an issue in the negotiations between the Federal Council and the Bundestag. The law has already been passed. However, the Union and the SPD need the approval of the Greens on the tax issues of the climate package. That is why the GroKo came to the opposition party with a higher CO2 price. Starting in 2021, the starting price should now be 25 euros per tonne of CO2 instead of 10 euros as previously planned. By 2025, it is expected to gradually increase to 55 euros.
To compensate for rising gasoline prices, long-distance commuters are to be relieved. The additional income from the higher CO2 price would also be used to lower the renewable energy levy, it says. That relieves an average household of more than 60 euros in electricity costs in the first year, according to the SPD. The federal states will additionally receive a total of 1.5 billion euros from VAT for the years 2021 to 2024.
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This would clear the way for the Federal Council's approval of the train's VAT reduction before Christmas - and thus cheaper tickets from January 1, 2020. However, the Union said that there was still a need for discussion. For example, it should be clarified to what extent the VAT reduction should also apply to the long-distance bus business. In addition, tax issues regarding building renovation and wind turbines still need to be clarified.
- Who prevailed where?
From the point of view of the Greens in the federal government, it was clear that they would not agree without a higher entry price for CO2 - on the other hand, the Union absolutely wanted an agreement so that the citizens were relieved with cheaper train tickets on January 1 and the commuter flat rate remained or the so-called mobility premium was introduced becomes. In the end, both sides achieved their goal, commuter allowance and mobility bonus should even be increased to eight cents per kilometer.
Baden-Württemberg's green Prime Minister Kretschmann can live with this compromise - the heads of the social democratic countries can do the same, and the new SPD leaders even more so.
- What does that mean for the grand coalition?
The Greens have helped the new SPD leadership to push through one of its demands against the Union - this could be summed up in one sentence.
In any case, Esken and Walter-Borjans should go to the mini-coalition committee on Thursday more relaxed. From the point of view of the leaders of the CDU and CSU, this is good news - Chancellor Merkel, who the coalition is determined to continue, should be the most pleased.
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