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Energy prices: Is there a traffic light dispute? – Left sees “blockade” of the FDP

2022-08-02T10:59:38.283Z


Energy prices: Is there a traffic light dispute? – Left sees “blockade” of the FDP Created: 08/02/2022, 12:44 p.m By: Franziska Schwarz The traffic light coalition and the energy crisis: Christian Linder and Robert Habeck at a press conference in April 2022 in Berlin. © John MacDougall/AFP Increased prices are a burden on people in Germany, and the traffic light coalition wants to relieve them


Energy prices: Is there a traffic light dispute?

– Left sees “blockade” of the FDP

Created: 08/02/2022, 12:44 p.m

By: Franziska Schwarz

The traffic light coalition and the energy crisis: Christian Linder and Robert Habeck at a press conference in April 2022 in Berlin.

© John MacDougall/AFP

Increased prices are a burden on people in Germany, and the traffic light coalition wants to relieve them - but they are still arguing about the right way.

Berlin - In March, the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP had already agreed on a so-called relief package.

In addition to the 9-euro ticket, it also includes a 300-euro energy price flat rate, a fuel discount and a children's bonus.

Is there a new relief package now?

From October, millions of customers will face additional price increases due to a government gas levy.

The federal government decided it as part of the rescue package for the utility Uniper.

When the levy was announced, the government had announced further relief:

  • Housing benefit reform

    as of January 1, 2023: the group of beneficiaries is to be expanded.

  • Citizens

    ' income will replace the previous Hartz IV system from next year: There is still a dispute about the calculation of the standard rate.

  • Examination of the rules on

    protection against dismissal:

    it should not be possible to terminate the contract for tenants or energy customers who are overwhelmed.

Consumer advocate Ramona Pop appealed to the

editorial network Germany

that a relief package for low-income households was necessary: ​​"The most important thing is to act quickly: when the gas surcharge comes, the aid package must be in place." What are the parties currently saying?

Traffic light debate about relief package: SPD deputy calls for "tailor-made measures"

SPD faction deputy Matthias Miersch told the dpa news agency that there would not be another relief package.

“Instead, a large number of tailor-made measures are required at the various levels.

These should already start to take effect in the fall.”

Party leader Saskia Esken announced that the SPD would "make a new attempt to introduce an excess profit tax for corporations that enrich themselves from the crisis".

In the Augsburger Allgemeine

of August 2,

the SPD chairwoman suggested using the income from such a scheme to finance further relief.

Spain, Italy and Hungary have announced similar levies.

The Greens also support the idea, for example from Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

The FDP, however, stuck to their no.

From the point of view of Chancellor Scholz, too, the special tax is currently not an issue.

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Does Habeck want a new relief package?

"Politically not yet illuminated zone"

Habeck sees a need for discussion because of the sharp rise in energy prices - also within the coalition.

During a visit to Stadtwerke Bayreuth, the Greens politician said there was a "zone" that had not yet been "illuminated" politically.

Habeck spoke of "normal earners" who did not earn a blatant amount of money per month.

"Because I think I know what burdens can come, I'm clearly on the side of being more generous."

Greens co-leader Omid Nouripour also announced that he would not negotiate citizen income individually, but as part of a relief package.

The coalition will “have to bend over an overall package.

And we must not relieve the burden with the watering can, but we have to help in a targeted and socially staggered manner.” The package should also include “acute measures such as a moratorium on gas and electricity cuts” for the coming winter.

he told the newspapers of Mediengruppe Bayern on July 30.

Ramelow criticizes the traffic light: "Currently does not have an eye on social arithmetic"

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow said: "The traffic light government is currently hardly keeping an eye on social arithmetic.

The main reason is the blockade of the FDP.” The left-wing politician called for a special prime ministerial conference with the federal government.

In an interview with the dpa, Ramelow also criticized FDP proposals to increase the commuter allowance, but also the fuel discount.

"I benefit more from this than the bakery saleswoman.".

Funding based on the watering can principle should not exist.

"The FDP is in the process of destroying the social competence of the traffic light government at the federal level," said Ramelow.

(frs/dpa)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-08-02

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