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Rolf Mutzenich (SPD)
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka/ DPA
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has announced further relief for the citizens.
"There will be further decisions on the relief before the summer break," said Mützenich to the news portal "t-online".
Despite the two relief packages that have already been passed, "we know that due to rising energy and food prices, middle society in particular still needs further relief".
When asked whether he supported the proposal by Lower Saxony's Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) to also pay pensioners the energy flat rate of 300 euros, the parliamentary group leader said: "I can imagine that.
But we will discuss that together and decide.«
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) had previously advocated eliminating VAT on fruit, vegetables and legumes.
Özdemir told the "Welt am Sonntag" that he was concerned about the current price trend for food due to the war in Ukraine.
"And if things continue like this, then I can tell you: after the relief package is before the relief package."
Merz warns against too high expectations of the state
CDU leader Friedrich Merz warned citizens against expecting the state to compensate for all additional costs caused by inflation.
"Not every cost development can be offset by the public coffers," Merz told the editorial network Germany.
“If low-income households can no longer bear certain burdens, this can be cushioned by direct state aid.” The Union faction’s relief proposals are on the table.
These included the abolition of cold progression, a flat-rate energy price for pensioners and students and the reduction of electricity tax to the EU minimum tax rate.
With the first relief package, the federal government abolished the EEG surcharge and decided on a one-off heating cost subsidy.
The second package envisages, among other things, reducing the energy tax on fuels for a limited period of three months.
Employed persons who are subject to income tax are to receive a one-time lump sum of 300 euros gross to compensate for the high energy costs.
The three-month, 9-euro monthly ticket for local and long-distance traffic is also part of the package.
hey/AFP