The energy crisis is in full swing, and now the gas levy is on top of that.
The traffic light coalition promises a remedy – but how?
Berlin – The federal government has assured the population and the economy that relief will take effect when the new additional gas levy has to be paid from October.
Green leader Omid Nouripour announced a “joint effort”.
Nouripour told the newspapers of
Mediengruppe Bayern
on Tuesday (August 16) that "particularly people with low and middle incomes should be given targeted support".
But "many medium-sized companies" are also affected by the rising energy costs.
The traffic light coalition has also already agreed to extend the protective shield for companies that are in trouble because of high energy prices.
His party colleague Robert Habeck promised the company to at least examine further measures.
However, the specific form is unclear.
On Monday evening (August 15), the Federal Minister of Economics said in the ZDF "Heute Journal" that a system of economic aid had already been set up for companies.
"We are currently taking a very close look at whether there is still a need for adjustments."
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Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck provided information on the gas levy on Monday (15 August).
© Britta Pedersen/dpa
Gas levy: Chancellor Scholz does not want to "leave anyone alone" in the energy crisis
The gas surcharge initially means an additional 2.4 cents per kilowatt hour, which all consumers have to pay, private households as well as companies.
The levy is intended to compensate for the increased procurement costs of major importers in order to protect them from bankruptcy and the German energy system from collapsing.
The trigger for the rising gas prices was the beginning of the Ukraine war on February 24th.
Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance
Traffic light coalition: The Scholz cabinet at a glance
The shape of a new relief package is still controversial in the red-green-yellow federal government.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) assured on Twitter on Monday: "We will not leave anyone alone with the higher costs." Deputy government spokeswoman Christiane Hoffmann had previously said: "If the levy is due on October 1 of this year, there will be further relief for the Citizens of this country be ready.”
The government also wants to prevent VAT from being paid on the gas surcharge, which would benefit the state – but it is still unclear whether EU law allows this.
Union faction deputy Jens Spahn called this cynical in an interview with
Der Spiegel
and announced: "If the traffic light does not remedy the deficiencies quickly, we will apply for the lifting of the levy in the Bundestag in September." (nak / dpa)
List of rubrics: © Britta Pedersen/dpa
