There is further criticism of the gas levy. After SPD leader Esken warned of a blockade in parliament, finance minister Lindner no longer rules out a correction.
The last word may not yet have been spoken on the controversial gas levy. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner from the FDP can imagine a correction of the levy. At Maybrit Illner on ZDF, Lindner said on Thursday evening: “If there is a need to change something to make the instrument more accurate, then we do not shy away from a correction.”
According to Lindner, the gas levy is not about saving corporations, but about protecting consumers. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck had the idea of ??finding a solution based on solidarity with gas customers, and that was correct. “It is correct: A measure of solidarity cannot result in individual companies maintaining their returns and making profits,” said Lindner.
Meanwhile, the criticism of the gas surcharge has not stopped. SPD leader Saskia Esken called for urgent improvements and otherwise warned of a blockade by the SPD if the levy is approved in the Bundestag. At Maybrit Illner, Monika Grimm, who is one of the economists, criticized above all the reduction in VAT on gas. The goal must be to save gas. Therefore it would have been better to offer a basic service at a very low price. Anything beyond that would have to be more expensive. Grimm: “It’s counterproductive to use VAT to lower prices.”
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil from the SPD can also imagine such a solution. “I think that’s an important aspect that should be discussed.”
“There is now a government obligation to provide security for people on low incomes,” Weil said. The third relief package is a step in this direction. The traffic light coalition is currently negotiating this, and according to Lindner it should be ready before October. It is to come into force on January 1st.
This includes a housing benefit reform, according to the finance minister. The housing benefit should then also include a heating cost subsidy, which also applies to pensioners with condominiums. Furthermore, the basic security is to be replaced by a citizen’s allowance, in which the heating costs are to be reimbursed in full.
People with middle incomes are also important for Lindner and Weil. “We have to protect people with a net income of between 900 and 2,600 euros,” says Weil.
The finance minister wants to pay for this despite the debt brake. Allowing new debts to be incurred, he explained. In addition, the state has built up reserves.