The announced gas price brake should noticeably relieve private households and companies in the energy crisis. The heads of government of the federal states are again putting pressure on the federal government.
According to the federal states, the gas price brake that has been announced must take effect as early as January 1 of next year. The 16 heads of government agreed on the demand at the two-day Prime Ministers’ Conference (MPK) in Hanover.
The MPK decision states that uninterrupted support is required. If energy suppliers are not technically able to convert their billing systems by January 1st, the deadline could be extended to March 1st – but would then have to apply retrospectively to January 1st and already be taken into account when calculating the deductions for January and February will.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) said: “If there are any calculations that question the work of the commission, then we will deal with it again. First of all, the announcement from the federal government: we will implement the proposals of the commission around.”
Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) explained: “We are working at high speed to ensure that people and companies will see something with gas this year and that we can also send insurance to our country at the beginning of next year that the state is cushioning the financial burdens in this time of crisis.”
The decision also states that the heads of government of the federal states had taken from the presentation by the federal government that they were working on introducing an electricity price brake on January 1st.
Next talks on November 2nd – with Chancellor Scholz
After the new consultations, private households or companies do not yet have any clarity as to when they can expect which further relief. The next talks with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) are scheduled for November 2nd. Then there could be more concrete steps, for example with the nationwide local transport ticket.
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) said after the talks on Friday: “We currently have a decision backlog, we want to clear this backlog. The federal states are ready to do so.”
However, municipal and social institutions should also benefit from the relief provided by the announced gas price brake. That became clear during the consultations, said North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU). That is a “good signal” for the municipalities, which in many areas have the same concerns as everyone else.”
“In the end there will be no division in the country along energy sources”
According to Wüst, the rising energy prices also affect people who heat with oil and wood pellets. These citizens should also be relieved. “In the end, there must be no division in the country along the energy sources,” said the CDU politician.
Saxony’s Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer (CDU) warned against unsettling people with new ideas for saving energy. Politicians should refrain from giving wise advice, common sense is the best advice in this situation. Many savings proposals that are currently being made are unreasonable.
The citizens are already frugal. The Christmas season should not be a “dark time”, emphasized Kretschmer. They want to make sure that Christmas markets are lit. “Especially at this time, signals of hope and encouragement are needed.”