Also criticism of the 9-euro ticket: the taxpayers' association wants the early end of the tank discount

The tank discount and the 9-euro ticket are only available for half a month, but the criticism of them is still great. The taxpayers’ association finds that both should not last longer than the planned three months. The purpose of supporting people financially is not fulfilled.

The President of the Taxpayers’ Association, Reiner Holznagel, has spoken out in favor of an early end to the tank discount. “In the end, the tank discount creates frustration with politics and the feeling of powerlessness when it comes to rising inflation,” said Holznagel of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “This is fatal.”

The design flaw of the tank discount is “difficult to make up for,” said Holznagel. “Therefore, the federal government must significantly shorten the period of the tank discount.” He spoke out “for a reduction from three to one month”. This saves a lot of money. Holznagel calculated: “If you let the tank discount run for three months, it would cost the state 3.0 to 3.2 billion euros.”

However, the association president is not satisfied with the 9-euro ticket either and also encouraged a discussion about an early end after a month: “In my opinion, the 9-euro ticket is just a taster course for local public transport,” he said. But the task of the state is to provide financial support to people who have to commute to get to work and earn an income. This order from the state does not cover the 9-euro ticket. The only measure to relieve people who are forced to commute is “the distance allowance, whether by car, train or bicycle,” said Holznagel.

With a 9-euro ticket and a fuel discount, citizens should be relieved of the high energy costs resulting from the Ukraine war. With the 9-euro ticket, passengers can use trams, underground trains, S-Bahn trains and ferries for local transport from June to August for nine euros a month, and in regional transport S-Bahn trains, regional trains and regional express trains, throughout Germany. The fuel rebate is a tax reduction on fuel. The tax rates for petrol will drop by 29.55 cents per liter and for diesel by 14.04 cents.