The Thuringian state parliament is concerned with the price explosion for gas, electricity and fuel. The proposals and demands are aimed at price reductions or relief.
Erfurt (dpa/th) – Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) has spoken out in favor of even greater intervention in the energy market in response to the planned nationalization of the gas importer Uniper. The gas price could be regulated by the state if other gas suppliers also came into state hands – possibly in a transitional period, Ramelow said on Wednesday in the state parliament in Erfurt. In addition to the federal relief package, the opposition CDU parliamentary group demanded a Thuringian rescue package in the hundreds of millions.
Ramelow also advocated market intervention on fuel prices. “Prices have skyrocketed, far outpacing crude oil prices.” If the resulting excess profits of the fuel companies were no longer allowed, the citizens would no longer need relief in this area, said Ramelow. The state would have to ensure that market prices no longer lead to immense excess profits.
Thuringia’s head of government reiterated his demand in the state parliament to quickly decouple the electricity price from the gas price. If there is a high proportion of cheap green electricity in the grid, this should be noticeable in the price for consumers. According to the current rules on the electricity market, the most expensive producer – these are currently gas-fired power plants – determines the electricity price.
CDU parliamentary group leader Mario Voigt demanded a security fund for the Thuringian economy of 250 to 400 million euros. Like Ramelow, he spoke out in favor of a protective shield for the municipal utilities – above all through state guarantees. Voigt named a guarantee framework of one billion euros.
He also called for an “investment program for Thuringian energy” to expand locally usable forms of energy such as bioenergy and geothermal energy. The opposition leader proposed a round table on the energy crisis next week with business, local authorities, the government and the opposition. According to Voigt, decisions could be made in a special state parliament session at the beginning of October.
The government coalition of Left, SPD and Greens, on the other hand, is looking to expand the country’s Corona fund for help in the energy crisis. A corresponding draft law is before the state parliament. This could be helped quickly, said Linke parliamentary group leader Steffen Dittes. According to him, the fund should be able to make around 60 million euros available to citizens and businesses this year.
The state parliament groups of the FDP and Citizens for Thuringia also demanded aid programs in addition to the federal government’s relief package. The AfD parliamentary group accused the federal government of incompetence.
