Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner wants to grant a state tank discount in view of the high fuel prices. SPD party leader Lars Klingbeil urges caution with spending money.
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil rejects the proposal by Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) to grant drivers a state fuel discount in view of the high fuel prices.
“It is important that we don’t pour out the money with the watering can, but instead specifically relieve those with small and medium-sized incomes, because they are now the hardest hit,” said Klingbeil of the “Bild am Sonntag”.
A week ago, Lindner had proposed to relieve all drivers directly at the gas station with a state fuel subsidy. He wants to reduce the fuel price to under two euros per liter of diesel or petrol. The coalition partners SPD and Greens have criticized the initiative as not coordinated. In addition, such a step would not particularly benefit those on lower incomes, who suffered particularly from the price explosion at gas stations.
Klingbeil also made it clear that he sees no reason to subsidize high earners in their energy expenditure: “A politician like me can fill up for 2.30 euros, the state doesn’t have to help him. But my neighbor, who commutes to Hamburg as a nurse, needs support now, »said the SPD leader. You have to relieve socially just and targeted. “And not only in the fuel prices, but also in electricity and heating costs.”
CDU leader Friedrich Merz called on Finance Minister Lindner to better reduce taxes on petrol and diesel. “I have to say I’m somewhat surprised, to say the least, that this is coming from the FDP,” he told the “Tagesspiegel” (Sunday) with a view to the proposed tank discount.
Merz warned of the high deadweight effects for the oil companies and refineries if the state reimbursed a flat rate per liter. The antitrust authorities are already investigating whether the prices are deliberately so high in order to increase their own profits, even though the price of oil has recently fallen. “The idea is clearly based on the will to do everything except what the Union has proposed,” said the CDU leader about Lindner’s plan. “Our way is much simpler: reduce the energy tax and the sales tax on diesel and petrol from 19 to 7 percent. That would be unbureaucratic, quick and good help for everyone. »
Source: Stern
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