Traffic light coalition raises commuter allowance and abolishes EEG surcharge ahead of schedule

Created: 2022-02-23Updated: 2022-02-23 7:29 PM

The EEG surcharge will be canceled prematurely.

© Patrick Pleul/dpa

In view of the high energy prices, the federal government decides on a package to relieve consumers.

Berlin - In view of the high energy prices, the heads of the traffic light coalition have agreed on several measures to relieve consumers.

The commuter allowance is to be increased from 35 to 38 cents per kilometer from the 21st kilometer retrospectively on January 1, 2022, as announced by the SPD, Greens and FDP on Wednesday.

Accordingly, the plans also include the elimination of the EEG levy on electricity as of July 1st, a special subsidy for adult Hartz IV recipients of a one-off amount of 100 euros and an immediate surcharge for poor children of 20 euros a month from July.

Traffic light coalition decides relief due to increased energy costs

Several tax measures were also agreed: the basic income tax allowance is to increase for the current year from 9,984 euros to 10,347 euros, and the employee allowance from 1,000 euros to 1,200 euros.

The coalition leaders' resolution paper is entitled "Ten relief steps for our country".

However, some of the measures listed had already been decided beforehand.

FDP leader and Finance Minister Christian Lindner spoke of billions.

"We are not leaving people alone in the current situation," he said.

The Greens Chairwoman Ricarda Lang said that people now have to be relieved in a short-term and targeted manner.

"It's a strong package with which we have an offer for the whole of society, and I believe it offers a form of security anchor for the people in this country, especially in difficult times."

The SPD chairwoman Saskia Esken emphasized: "It is important to us that life with its basic needs remains affordable." Esken and Lindner were confident that there would be support for the plans from the federal states.

This is necessary, for example, with the planned increase in the commuter allowance.

Criticism of the plans of the traffic light coalition

Ulrich Schneider, general manager of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, criticized the plans as being socially unbalanced.

Money is poured out with the watering can.

"The households with the largest purse and the highest power consumption benefit," said Schneider, adding: "Hartz IV recipients are once again left behind with a completely inadequate payment of a one-time payment of 100 euros." (red/afp/epd/ dpa)