9-euro ticket and tank discount: Federal Council discusses relief laws
Created: 05/20/2022, 10:46 am
By: Christian Stör
Politicians want to mitigate the consequences of high energy prices for passengers - with billions from the state budget.
After the Bundestag, however, the Bundesrat still has to play its part.
Berlin – On Friday (May 20), the Bundesrat will finally discuss numerous legislative projects of the traffic light coalition to relieve the burden on citizens.
On the agenda are measures intended to bring financial relief in the areas of taxes, energy and transport.
There are also reliefs for families.
Relief package: does the Federal Council agree to the 9-euro ticket?
Late on Thursday evening, the Bundestag passed two resolutions that are intended to make refueling and thus driving a car cheaper for a period of three months, as well as trips by bus and train - provided that the Bundesrat also votes for the 9-euro ticket, the tank discount and its financing .
The federal states had criticized the planned measures in advance.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), however, emphasized that these measures would benefit the citizens - "directly, quickly and purposefully".
Fuel prices at a gas station.
(symbol photo) © Jens Büttner/dpa
According to the plans of the SPD, Greens and FDP, the 9-euro monthly ticket for local and regional transport will be available in June, July and August.
The loss of income is to be compensated for by the federal government – this is what the law passed by the Bundestag provides for.
However, the planned subsidy of 2.5 billion euros does not go far enough for some countries, which is why the necessary approval from the Federal Council is still pending.
Relief package: tank discount planned
For the same three-month period, the Bundestag decided to reduce the energy tax on motor fuels to the minimum permitted in the EU.
In the case of petrol, the tax burden is temporarily reduced by 29.55 cents per liter - including VAT even by almost 35.2 cents.
With diesel, there is a minus of a good 14 cents per liter or 16.7 cents with VAT.
Despite criticism, the law passed the Bundestag without dissenting votes, the opposition factions abstained.
CDU MP Johannes Steiniger said the instrument was correct, but the three-month period was too short.
Even at the end of August, when the measure expires, the Ukraine conflict will probably continue, and with it high petrol prices.
Relief package: Further planned measures
Energy price flat rate of 300 euros, which will be paid out to employed persons in the autumn
Increase in the commuter allowance and the so-called basic allowance
Reduction of the so-called EEG surcharge to reduce electricity prices
Special payments for families
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Chancellor Scholz meanwhile complained about a "price increase caused by Russia".
Above all, people with small and middle incomes felt every day that “not only the fuel at the pump has become more expensive as a result of the war, but also food – from bread to cooking oil”.
(cs/dpa)