SPD co-leader Klingbeil calls for “massive investments” for network expansion

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In order to stimulate the economy and secure jobs, SPD co-chairman Lars Klingbeil is pushing for significantly stronger financial support for grid expansion and a reduced industrial electricity price. “We urgently need to bring energy prices down further to make them internationally competitive”Klingbeil told the star. “I still believe that an industrial electricity price is right. We also need massive investments to expand the networks”said the Social Democrat. The state must also provide support here so that the rising network charges are not passed on to consumers and companies.

Klingbeil’s demands are also an expression of the growing nervousness with which the Chancellor’s party views the economic situation. With its initiative, the SPD is now increasing the pressure on Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has so far been very skeptical about a subsidized industrial electricity price – as his party and parliamentary group have been demanding for some time – also in view of the strained budget situation.

SPD co-leader Klingbeil: “Further impetus is needed”

“The German economy is currently in a historic phase of upheaval”the SPD co-leader continued. It is now “our urgent task to prepare the framework for the future”that Germany will remain a strong industrial nation, that jobs will be secured and new ones will be created. The Federal Government has indeed achieved “a basis” laid, said Klingbeil. “But the current challenges show that further impetus is needed.”

The SPD is criticising Olaf Scholz for not showing enough determination to counteract the looming recession and the misery in the car industry. There is also irritation because Scholz did not invite people to an auto summit in the Chancellery himself, but left the meeting to Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens).

The Social Democrats expect the Chancellor to send a clear signal and show more fighting spirit to get the economy going and protect jobs. After all, the core brand of the party as a workers’ party is also at stake, warn Social Democrats. In the European elections, but also in the state elections in East Germany, many workers preferred to vote for the populists and extremists of BSW and AfD.

The SPD faction also insists on an industrial electricity price

“Economic policy in times of recession is a top priority”said SPD deputy parliamentary group leader Verena Hubertz. “A new ‘Germany is open for business’ mentality must radiate from the top down to the municipal administrative levels”the influential economic politician told the starThis can also be interpreted as a subtle request to the Chancellor to take the lead in economic policy.

A temporary industrial electricity price is included “part of the answer to our economy”said Hubertz. “Just as we helped Meyer Werft, we also need faster measures for the wider economy.” The traditional company had run into financial difficulties and is now to be rescued with state aid. “If we do not manage to improve the framework conditions, a short-term subsidy will not help”warned the deputy SPD parliamentary group leader. Her parliamentary group is therefore sticking to its demand for an industrial electricity price and will, in addition to the growth initiative, “acute measures” suggest.

Before the auto summit on Monday, the SPD parliamentary group had, among other things, “Scrappage premium 2.0” brought into play to stimulate the market for electric cars. According to this, there will be up to 6000 euros for switching from a combustion engine to an electric car.

The domestic automotive industry is “in crisis”the paper says. “In order to lead them through the current low and to ensure that German automobiles can maintain and even expand their strong position in the future market, decisive action is needed now.” The temporary package of measures is intended to boost demand for electric cars in the coming years and thus also strengthen collectively paid and co-determined jobs in the industry. “not be an obstacle that we have to spend money”.