Status: 08/15/2022 07:44 a.m
At the same time as the gas levy is introduced at the beginning of October, the Greens are demanding further relief for citizens. The SPD is also putting pressure on: Finance Minister Lindner’s plans for cold progression in particular are causing criticism.
Green party leader Ricarda Lang has spoken out in favor of presenting a new relief package in parallel with the introduction of the gas levy in October. “The goal must be that people with small and medium-sized incomes benefit more from the relief than those with strong shoulders who can carry more,” said Lang. Specifically, in addition to a greatly expanded housing benefit or higher child benefit, she also proposes a new edition of the energy price flat rate.
In addition, it is good that the Ministry of Finance is checking whether VAT may be levied on the levy. A so-called excess profit tax for companies that benefited from the energy crisis is also an option.
Criticism also from the SPD parliamentary group
However, the Greens continue to be critical of the tax plans of Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) to reduce the cold progression. “The Finance Minister’s proposal is primarily aimed at favoring top earners, who often earn well over 100,000 euros. This is not an appropriate proposal in the current situation,” said parliamentary group leader Andreas Audretsch of the “Rheinische Post”.
Parts of the SPD are also calling for improvements to the relief package. Group Vice President Achim Post described Lindner’s draft as “in need of improvement and supplementation, especially in order to noticeably relieve small and medium incomes and also pensioners.”
Social organizations and the opposition are calling for improvements
There had already been criticism of Lindner’s plans at the weekend. Left parliamentary group leader Dietmar Bartsch brought a “winter money against inflation and exploding heating costs” for small and medium incomes into play. The state should pay 1,500 euros per household plus 600 euros for each additional household member, he told the “Rheinische Post”. “For financing, we propose the introduction of an excess profit tax and the start of a major tax reform.” For billionaires, there should be a one-time wealth levy as “Winter Soli”.
“It is essential to talk about relief”, Kerstin Andreae, Federal Association of Energy and Water Management, on the gas levy
Morning magazine, August 15, 2022
Social organizations also criticized the FDP initiative. The Diakonie complained that poorer people were not given enough attention. There is a lack of targeted relief for households with low incomes. The social association VdK said the finance minister was setting the wrong priorities. “It is appropriate to compensate for the cold progression,” said President Verena Bentele. But that’s not a priority right now. It is currently more important to ensure that pensioners do not freeze in winter.
Hundreds of euros more per household
A state gas levy will mean additional costs for millions of customers from autumn. The Ministry of Economic Affairs expects significant additional costs for customers. Economics Minister Robert Habeck said he expected “several hundred euros per household” per year.