A flat-rate energy fee of 300 euros, one-off payments and cheap public transport tickets: In view of rising energy prices, the traffic light coalition has agreed on a far-reaching relief package for citizens. The details.
The traffic light coalition is reacting to the sharp rise in energy and fuel prices with extensive relief for citizens in Germany. The planned measures at a glance:
- …an energy fee. All employees who are subject to income tax are paid a one-off energy price allowance of 300 euros as a salary subsidy.
- …one Reduction of the energy tax on fuels for three months to the European minimum in order to relieve commuters and companies.
- …aid for families. In order to cushion particular hardships for families, a one-time bonus of 100 euros is to be paid out to the family benefits office as soon as possible for each child in addition to the child benefit. The bonus is offset against the child allowance.
- …Assistance for welfare recipients. The one-off payment of EUR 100 for recipients of social benefits that has already been decided is to be increased by EUR 100 per person.
- …cheap tickets for buses and trains. The coalition wants to introduce a ticket for 9 euros per month for local public transport nationwide for 90 days. The countries should be given the appropriate funds for this.
This was announced by the leaders of the SPD, Greens and FDP on Thursday in Berlin. The leaders of the SPD, FDP and Greens agreed on the package on Thursday morning. The talks had started at 9 p.m. the night before.
Traffic light coalition meets “energy policy declaration of independence”
The “middle” of society should be relieved quickly, unbureaucratically and socially justly, according to a resolution paper.
In order to enable a simple and unbureaucratic way for direct payments to citizens in the future, the federal government will develop a payment method for climate money via the tax ID before the end of this year.
The coalition also agreed on measures to increase energy efficiency. This should also help to reduce dependence on gas, oil and coal from Russia because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
From 2024, every newly installed heating system is to be operated with 65 percent renewable energy – in the coalition agreement this was previously planned for January 1, 2025. The framework is also to be created for property owners to be able to replace their heating systems that are more than 20 years old. In addition, a major heat pump offensive is to be launched. Green leader Ricarda Lang spoke of phasing out gas heating.
Economics and Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had called more efforts to save energy as a condition for a relief package. For example, he described gas heaters as “discontinued models”.
Relief package is intended to protect citizens from “enormous price increases”.
FDP leader Christian Lindner sees the agreement reached by the coalition leaders as proof of the government’s ability to act. “The coalition is convinced that we have to protect people and the economy in the short term and for a limited period in view of these enormous price increases,” said the finance minister.
Green leader Ricarda Lang sees the relief as a “declaration of energy independence”. The measures take the breadth of society into account. However, it is unclear what is to come, and it is likely that not every burden can be absorbed.
SPD chairman Lars Klingbeil described the relief package as a contribution to social cohesion and stability in Germany. “This government puts the interests of the citizens first,” he said.
A coalition working group had previously failed in several rounds to reach an agreement on relief in response to rising prices. However, a “broad basis” has been developed not only for new relief, but also for decisive measures to strengthen energy independence, it said.
In February, before the Ukraine war broke out, the coalition had agreed on an initial relief package. Among other things, this provided for the abolition of the multi-billion EEG levy on the electricity bill from July. This was previously planned for early 2023. The package also involved an increase in the commuter allowance for long-distance commuters.
Source: Stern
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