Saxony-Anhalt: SPD is looking at reducing energy costs

In addition to the election of the state executive, the main focus of the SPD state party conference is on the consequences of the Ukraine war. There are demands for further relief for people in terms of energy costs.

Leuna (dpa/sa) – The consequences of the Ukraine war and above all the rising energy prices and the energy transition determined the state party conference of the Saxony-Anhalt SPD on Saturday. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil spoke out in favor of relieving pensioners in a targeted manner. “As the SPD, we want something to happen for pensioners,” said Klingbeil at a state party conference of the Saxony-Anhalt SPD in Leuna, with a view to energy costs. This should be discussed in the traffic light coalition in Berlin.

The party leader referred to the previous relief measures of the federal government. However, the question needs to be discussed as to whether the state can do more to support people in the crisis. “We have to cushion.”

Klingbeil also defended the course of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). They are on the side of Ukraine, the arms deliveries are correct. At the same time, it is also important to hold talks with Russia. Wars are never decided on the battlefield, but at the negotiating table. That’s why he couldn’t understand the criticism of Scholz for his phone calls with Russian President Putin, said Klingbeil.

At the party congress, the delegates unanimously passed a resolution on the Ukraine war. The “unlawful, warlike attack by Russia” is condemned in it. Refugees from Ukraine should be able to integrate permanently in the country if they so wish. They also support the country’s desire to join the EU.

In his speech, Saxony-Anhalt’s Energy Minister Armin Willingmann (SPD) advocated the introduction of an excess profit tax. “The excess profit tax is possible,” he said. “There must be no rip-off in the crisis.” An excess profit tax is intended to siphon off additional profits from companies, and this was recently discussed with a view to mineral oil companies, among other things. In addition, the minister called for further relief for citizens by the federal government.

Willingmann again promoted the renewal of old wind turbines and the examination of whether wind turbines can also be erected in forest areas. There should be no bans on thinking in energy policy. He rejected a longer use of nuclear power. For the time being, however, there is no way around coal-fired power plants, it is about security of supply.

The previous SPD state chairmen, Juliane Kleemann and Andreas Schmidt, were confirmed in their posts on Friday. The 52-year-old member of the state parliament from the Altmark received around 76 percent of the votes in the election. The 52-year-old member of the Merseburg state parliament received around 71 percent of the votes. Willingmann (92 percent) and the head of the SPD parliamentary group, Katja Pähle (around 77 percent), were elected as deputy chairmen.

The SPD parliamentary group leader was one of the few delegates at the lectern at the party conference, aggressively attacking the political competitors in the country. The CDU always only knows what it doesn’t want. The SPD would be happy to help with their ideas, said Pähle. In addition, the coalition partners CDU and FDP would mourn the end of the combustion engine and nuclear power plants, she criticized. The opposition AfD also criticized Pähle. She described members of parliament as ethnically nationalistic.