It is the highest price increase in 47 years. And according to the economic research institute, prices continue to rise. Labor and Economics Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) therefore does not want to rule out a cap on the electricity price in autumn. The government would currently calculate an upper limit for the electricity price, said Kocher on Tuesday evening in the ZiB 2.
“Must not decide in haste”
The qualified economist cannot yet say which model it should be: “We must not make hasty decisions.” He can imagine incentives and information on saving gas even before gas rationing occurs: “Many people are willing to save.”
Kocher, on the other hand, is skeptical about the food price controls demanded by the union. “A direct intervention in the prices is the last resort. It’s not so easy to solve it nationally either.” What gives him hope: “There are first signs that prices are falling slightly again.”
The anti-inflation package announced by the government should provide relief overall. The minister promised a sum of five to six billion euros.
When asked whether gas fracking in the Weinviertel could be helpful, Kocher said there were no bans on thinking. But: “That won’t be possible in the next two years. At the moment that wouldn’t ease the situation.” It might help in the medium term.
Fracking Gas and Financial Benefits
If Russia’s gas tap were to stay on, one would have to try to save on gas in the summer, Wifo boss Gabriel Felbermayr said before in the Kleine Zeitung. An important deadline is Thursday, when maintenance work on the important German-Russian Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline is to end. Felbermayr also said that one should examine whether the gas reserves dormant in Europe, for example in Lower Austria, should be tapped. According to the economist, Austrian fracking gas could offer financial advantages.