Traffic light moves away from plans: gas surcharge should go – “as soon as possible”

Leading politicians in the traffic light coalition are moving away from the gas surcharge. The Greens’ federal chairman Nouripour promises that the levy will tip “as soon as possible”. According to his own statements, FDP boss Lindner is working on an alternative.

Is she coming or not? The gas levy worked out by the Ministry of Economic Affairs is losing further support in the traffic light coalition. There is growing doubt about the premium that millions of gas customers would have to pay to offset higher procurement costs.

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich also does not see the gas levy as the right instrument for combating the rise in energy prices. “It is the case that we can safely assume that the gas surcharge is not the method of choice, especially given that we have taken important companies into state care,” he said ARD morning magazine.

He sees constitutional concerns and promises clarity by the end of October. In questions of financing, he brings a supplementary budget and the “establishment of a special fund” into play. “Here we have to talk to the Finance Minister in particular. He doesn’t have to worry about legal issues, but about the finances,” says Mützenich, referring to Finance Minister Christian Lindner.

Lindner is working on an alternative

He reported on Sunday evening in the ARD-Broadcast Anne Will to word. He has an idea for financing a gas price brake – but he wants to discuss this with the coalition partners first.

The FDP leader had previously asked the “economic question of meaning”: “We have a gas levy that increases the price. But we need a gas price brake that lowers the price.” A gas price brake must “quickly help everyone in an economy”.

Nouripour: Gas allocation will tip as quickly as possible

The Greens Federal Chairman Omid Nouripour assumes that the controversial gas surcharge will initially come into force, but will not last. “I have to admit that I even assume that it will come into force on October 1st,” said Nouripour on RTL / ntv. Asked when exactly the gas surcharge could be tipped, Nouripour said: “As soon as possible.”

Talks still have to be held in the federal government, the situation is dynamic. With a view to the Federal Minister of Economics from his party, Nouripour added: “I can assure you that Robert Habeck is doing everything to ensure that the levy falls as quickly as possible.”

Esken for nationalization of energy suppliers

SPD leader Saskia Esken had previously expressed skepticism about the idea of ​​the gas surcharge. in the Report from Berlin she also spoke out in favor of nationalizing the energy suppliers. She sees room for maneuver with the debt brake and is open to the possibility of a new special fund. That would have the advantage that the assets could still be raised this year, when there is still an exception to the debt brake, according to Esken.

Scholz expects quick results

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has so far held back on the question of the levy. The aim is to lower the “far too high prices” for both electricity and gas, he said on the sidelines of his visit to the Gulf States. He referred to a commission of experts that is currently examining various models. They met for the first time on Saturday. He expects “quick results,” said the Chancellor.