Should the CDU / CSU be involved in the next federal government, Markus Söder wants to focus on one topic in the exploratory talks: the commuter allowance.
Munich - Driving in Germany could soon become more expensive.
Since the beginning of the year, the CO2 price has been 25 euros per ton.
This adjustment already led to an increase in the price of petrol of around 7.5 cents per liter.
The CO2 price is expected to rise to 55 euros by 2025.
The Greens are even aiming for 60 euros in 2023.
The question of gasoline prices in the Federal Republic could also be interesting after the federal election.
Because the CSU sees the issue as a coalition demand, on which one does not want to be open to discussion.
Bundestag election: Söder makes commuter allowance a "coalition demand that we will not move away from"
Party leader Markus Söder insists on an increase in the commuter allowance. Should the Union be involved in the government, the issue should be given elementary importance. For the CSU it is essential that there is compensation for a rising CO2 price, Söder told
Welt am Sonntag
. "To do this, we need a significant increase in the commuter allowance in order not to put rural areas at a disadvantage."
If the price of petrol increases by ten cents, the commuter allowance has to be increased by one cent.
"This is a coalition demand of the CSU, from which we will not move away." Via the commuter allowance, travel costs between home and work can be claimed for tax purposes.
Independently of this, the CSU speaks out against any flight bans or a speed limit, as demanded by the SPD or the Greens.
Bundestag election: CSU calls for an increase in the commuter allowance
In the election program of the CSU, which the Christian Socialists published in addition to the joint paper with the CDU, there is talk of a “dynamic commuter flat rate”. Depending on the average CO2 price per year, the commuter allowance should increase dynamically. “Those who are committed to rural areas must support commuters.” Meanwhile, the word “commuter flat rate” does not appear in the election manifestos of the CDU and CSU.
The federal government had recently raised the commuter allowance, but according to a study by the consumer association it mainly relieved higher earners.
The accusation: the Union and the SPD had failed to implement the new tax in a socially acceptable manner for everyone.
Instead of a flat commuter allowance, a so-called independent mobility allowance is repeatedly requested.
This would not only benefit people who earn a lot, explains Klaus Müller, head of the consumer association, to the
Süddeutsche Zeitung
: “If the climate and transport turnaround forgets to take everyone with them, the risk of an increase in the coming years, in addition to the CO₂ price social division. "
Commuter flat-rate: Greens also see "consensus for the mobility transition"
The role that the commuter allowance will play in the coalition negotiations also depends on the parties involved.
The SPD does not comment on the issue in its election manifesto.
Green co-boss Robert Habeck has meanwhile announced that he wants to stick to the commuter flat rate.
"If you want to keep society together, the commuter allowance can secure a consensus for the mobility transition," said Habeck in an interview with ADAC.
Habeck admitted that his party used to be "very skeptical here".
The CSU in particular repeatedly attacked the Greens for their transport policy.
Only recently, CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt accused the Greens of an "attack on the center of society".
(as)
