Wiesbaden/Berlin (dpa/lhe) - Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) has welcomed the federal government's plans against rising energy prices. "The 'defense shield' against rising energy costs announced today by the federal government seems to be going in the right direction," said the head of government on Thursday in Wiesbaden. "However, the countries do not yet know enough details to be able to assess the whole thing comprehensively."
It is clear that the gas surcharge will be canceled and gas prices will be capped. "That sounds like a big solution to me - and that's exactly what the federal states called for," emphasized the CDU politician. The federal and state governments would have to discuss everything else next Wednesday at the joint conference of the prime ministers with the Federal Chancellor. "Then it will continue to be a question of what share the countries have to shoulder in the planned third relief package."
With a new "defense shield" of up to 200 billion euros, consumers and companies are to be supported because of the sharp rise in energy prices. According to the federal government's plans, the gas levy, which has been controversial until recently, is off the table, and instead there should be a gas price brake. It is not yet clear who will be relieved and to what extent. A commission is to make proposals by mid-October.
