The Ampel-Koalierer deal with the dismantling of so-called environmentally harmful subsidies.
This also includes the commuter allowance.
Berlin - SPD, Greens and FDP are basically in agreement that ineffective and climate-damaging subsidies should be checked.
When it comes to the question of “how”, however, as is so often the case, it becomes difficult.
After the FDP has given a clear veto on reducing the commuter allowance, the Greens also speak out.
The commuter flat rate should therefore be retained - which does not mean that the traffic light coalitionists are completely in agreement.
Traffic light coalition: SPD, Greens and SPD want to review subsidies that are harmful to the environment and climate
“Environmentally harmful subsidies must be phased out,” said the Greens' election manifesto.
The commuter allowance was not explicitly discussed.
Under the item “Promote energy money” it simply said: “In order to support commuters with low incomes to adapt, for example, we are launching a climate bonus fund that provides generous support, for example when switching to bus and train or one emission-free vehicle. "
In their exploratory paper, the SPD, FDP and the Greens had expressly announced that they would review the federal budget for “superfluous, ineffective and environmentally and climate-damaging subsidies and expenditures” - in order to gain additional leeway.
But also here: The commuter flat rate is not mentioned at all.
Now, of course, the exploratory paper is only a key issue paper.
Many commuters are likely to look in the direction of the traffic lights, questioning: will the commuter allowance be retained or not?
Commuter flat rate: Greens do not question them - FDP with a clear position
The Greens say: yes. The eco-party would have agreed to the increase in the commuter allowance two years ago, said Greens managing director Michael Kellner on Twitter - "even now it is not in question". This is consensus within the party. Kellner referred to co-boss Annalena Baerbock, who had recently made a similar statement. But his party wanted to “go” to the company car privilege and the tax exemption for crude oil in plastic production.
For his part, FDP chairman Christian Lindner put a clear stop sign on the commuter flat rate.
One will examine subsidies, said Lindner of the
Rheinische Post
.
“However, the reduction in subsidies must not result in a tax increase for the middle-class working population, as would be the case with the commuter allowance.” The Greens and the SPD had also discussed a model in which high earners would be more heavily burdened than people with low incomes.
The FDP is unlikely to play along with this.
The commuter allowance, i.e. the tax deductibility of travel costs for the way to work, is considered harmful to the climate because it encourages the use of the car and encourages people to live far away from work.
Officially, it is called the distance flat rate.
Video: Radical traffic turnaround: This could happen to drivers
Commuter flat rate: Thoughts of abolition only for the “big city glasses”?
According to a new study by the Federal Environment Agency in 2018, Germany spent at least 65.4 billion euros on environmentally and climate-damaging subsidies. Almost half, a total of 30.8 billion euros, went to road and air traffic, such as tax breaks for the use of diesel vehicles. The environmentally harmful subsidies have increased in recent years despite the greater efforts to protect the environment. The fact is: traffic is a big problem child when it comes to climate protection. Greenhouse gas emissions have barely decreased in the past few years, and climate targets are in danger of being missed. The topic is also on the agenda at the World Climate Conference, which begins on Sunday (October 31).
If the commuter allowance were abolished, the state could use the money to expand buses and trains.
But: This idea falls far too short, especially in rural areas.
In many places, local public transport is simply not sufficiently developed.
Changes in the commuter flat rate would probably not go down well there, even in view of the acute rise in fuel prices.
The question of abolishing financial support for commuters can only be asked “only with city glasses if trains and buses run every minute or you can get to work by bike”, criticized the acting Federal Minister of Agriculture Julia Klöckner (CDU).
Traffic light coalition: Not only because of the commuter flat rate - a difficult undertaking with (climate-friendly) traffic
The SPD, Greens and FDP agree on the goal: Traffic must be cleaner. The working group set up for the colition talks must, however, clarify explosive questions. The traffic with millions of drivers and passengers in buses and trains in Germany should become more climate-friendly - but that is a politically sensitive project. Because for the possible future government partners of the SPD, Greens and FDP, it also means redirecting coveted government billions. More money for the railways, more goods for the railways, but also less money for the car? The "traffic light" negotiators have to drill thick boards for the desired "traffic turnaround" in the coalition talks. Some guard rails are in place, but important issues remain unanswered.
How should a possible investment offensive for the railways be financed, i.e. above all the construction and expansion of routes, for example for better connections in the countryside?
Revenue that was previously used for road traffic could be used for the railways - in addition, those same climate-damaging subsidies could be dismantled in order to gain financial leeway.
But this is not undisputed, especially when it comes to the commuter allowance.
(as with dpa)