Status: 08.09.2022 07:30 a.m
Economics Minister Habeck has announced that protective screens for companies will be “widened” to avoid insolvencies. NRW Prime Minister Wüst threatens to say no to the relief package in the Bundesrat.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck has promised companies more support in view of the energy crisis. “There is a risk of operational closures, and we have to counter that. That’s why we will expand the aid programs,” said the Vice Chancellor to the editorial network Germany.
There is already a protective shield under which small and medium-sized companies can already slip,” said Habeck. “But it is clear: we have to open up the protective shield more for autumn and winter. We are working on this with high pressure and concentration so that we can provide targeted and effective support,” emphasized the Green politician. “We are calibrating the programs and expanding them.”
Wüst threatens with a mediation committee
In the relief package, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst is threatening the federal government with a mediation process if there are no changes. “This is where the countries get down to business,” said the CDU politician, who currently heads the Prime Ministers’ Conference, at an event hosted by the news portal “The Pioneer”. There is no answer on the subject of medium-sized companies, the economy and energy prices.
“If necessary, we go to the mediation committee,” said Wüst. This body of the Bundestag and Bundesrat should find a consensus if laws passed by the Bundestag do not find a majority in the state chamber.
Wüst criticized that it was not okay that more than 30 billion euros were tax-financed from this package and that it was automatically assumed that the countries would participate. “The Bund hasn’t spoken to any of us.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz had agreed to meet with the federal states. A date for a “special prime ministers’ conference” should be decided soon, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said last Monday.
CDU wants price caps for private households
The CDU leadership around party leader Friedrich Merz is apparently planning its own concept for relief. A draft for the energy proposal for the upcoming federal party conference available to the dpa news agency provides for a price cap for private households for a basic requirement for electricity and gas.
The draft says about the gas cap: “The basic gas requirement should be 75 percent of the previous year’s consumption and a price of 12 cents per kilowatt hour should be guaranteed.”
According to the dpa, households in the lower third of the income bracket should be supported with a 1,000-euro energy allowance. “For the next six months, a moratorium on termination of all private electricity and gas supply contracts is also required. “Energy citizen vouchers” and craftsman vouchers are also planned to promote energy saving.
Party conference starting Friday in Hanover
The meeting of the 1001 delegates begins on Friday in Hanover. The paper was finalized on Wednesday evening and sent to the board members. The Executive Board should discuss and decide on the lead proposal this Thursday afternoon at a preparatory meeting. On Friday, the delegates should discuss and decide on the application. The online medium “Business Insider” had also reported on a draft.