Schwerin (dpa/mv) - The proposals for implementing the gas price brake trigger different reactions in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The cap is scheduled to start in March 2023. Before that, there should be a one-off payment in December. "The assumption of the advance payments should already apply for November and be made until the introduction of the lid," said Sven Müller, managing director of the umbrella organization of business associations VUMV. Especially for the small-scale economic structure, it is necessary to receive relief in January and February.
From the Left Party's point of view, the ideas developed by a commission do not meet the expectations of the citizens. "If the traffic light government follows these suggestions, nobody will really be helped," criticized state chairmen Vanessa Müller and Peter Ritter. It is incomprehensible that the cap on gas prices should only start when the heating period is slowly coming to an end.
The AfD again called for a relaxation of sanctions against Russia and tax cuts. The parliamentary group's financial policy spokesman, Martin Schmidt, described the proposals for the gas price cap as a "great disappointment". Even at state level, the hardship fund, which is equipped with 30 million euros, will not be sufficient.
The VUMV warns to hurry: "Politicians should be aware that the patience of consumers, whether in business or private households, is exhausted."
The association of municipal companies VKU praised the concept: "It was not an easy task: speed, savings incentives and fair solutions had to be reconciled and literally at lightning speed over the weekend. The commission succeeded," said the managing director Ingbert Liebing. The association also praised measures such as an aid fund for tenants and landlords and the housing benefit reform.
According to the expert commission's proposals, the federal government is to pay out a one-time payment to consumers in December based on the advance payment made in September. Between March 2023 and April 2024, 80 percent of the basic gas requirement will then be offered at a state-guaranteed gross price of 12 cents per kilowatt hour. A price of 9.5 cents should apply to district heating customers.
