energy crisis
The SPD presents a first draft for further relief for citizens. That’s in there
Stephan Weil (SPD), Prime Minister of Lower Saxony, is calling for the tank discount to be extended
© Sina Schuldt / DPA
The Social Democrats propose a relief package. This includes: among other things, a 49-euro ticket that is to be valid throughout Germany. But that doesn’t go far enough for the other parties.
In the discussion about further relief for citizens and companies in view of the high energy prices, a first formal list of demands comes from the SPD parliamentary group. The draft resolution for a parliamentary group retreat provides, among other things, for direct payments, a price brake for basic energy requirements and a nationwide 49-euro ticket.
Due to the sharp rise in energy prices and many consumer goods, several relief measures had already been decided and in some cases already implemented. Now the federal government is working on another package. On Tuesday and Wednesday she will advise at a cabinet retreat in the guest house Schloss Meseberg north of Berlin. According to information from the coalition parties, new relief steps are to be presented “soon” (Green Party leader Ricarda Lang) or “in a few days” (SPD Secretary General Kevin Kühnert).
It is feared that without relief in the event of an energy shortage in the winter, social upheaval could result, support for Ukraine, which was under attack from Russia, could crumble and support for submission to the interests of Russian President Vladimir Putin could find supporters.
The Social Democrats are planning these relief measures
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil has called for the tank discount, which expires on Wednesday, to be extended. “I am for the continuation,” said the SPD politician, who wants to be re-elected in October, the editorial network Germany (Monday). That helps “above all commuters who have to be on the road a lot”.
What does the paper by the SPD parliamentary group leadership propose for the parliamentary group meeting on Thursday and Friday, which was first reported on by the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Monday) and which is available from the German Press Agency?
- Containment of energy prices: Electricity/gas price brake for basic needs. Suspension of the upcoming increase in the carbon price for two years.
- Direct payments (similar to the energy money of 300 euros to be paid out): for people with low or medium incomes, families, pensioners, students, trainees and recipients of unemployment benefits.
- Residential: No electricity and gas cuts. Six months protection against dismissal for tenants who do not pay their utilities or do not make advance payments.
- Transport: Public transport ticket valid nationwide for EUR 49 per month, financed equally by the federal and state governments. However, many countries are likely to be skeptical.
- Financing: An excess profit tax “for those energy companies that are benefiting massively from this crisis,” it says. However, this is likely to be difficult to clearly define legally.
demands for more
Green leader Omid Nouripour supported calls for a ban on gas and electricity cuts on Sunday evening. “In many places we have the situation that gas providers and electricity providers don’t talk to each other at all. And in the worst case, it’s not only cold, but also dark. And that shouldn’t happen,” he said on ARD. “There are a number of things and proposals that are on the table. We will discuss it together: reform of housing benefits, citizen benefits, higher child benefits, for example.” He also campaigned for a solution to replace the nine-euro ticket.
According to Nouripour’s co-chairman Ricarda Lang, the energy price cap must not cap energy prices as a whole, but only a basic requirement. “There are a few technical questions that must be clarified in any case. It can only be implemented in a targeted manner,” she told the German Press Agency. “But it’s definitely on the table.”
The chairman of the Junge Union, Tilman Kuban, called for a youth energy money. It should be “500 euros for students and trainees, regardless of the type of training,” he told the “Rheinische Post” (Monday).
From the point of view of the social medicine specialist and former candidate for Federal President of the Left Party, Gerhard Trabert, the previous relief packages are far from sufficient. “We are a rich country, we can act. If we still don’t do it, then that is also a form of structural violence,” he told the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Monday). “The Hartz IV rate would have to be raised by 200 euros a month as soon as possible. There would have to be help for school supplies, students would have to be given financial support. Rents would have to be capped and people protected from evictions.”