Berlin/Schwerin (dpa/mv) - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) has praised the reduction in VAT on gas from 19 to 7 percent decided by the Federal Council as "noticeable relief" and called for further rapid steps. The announced energy price brake must come as soon as possible, she explained after the meeting of the state chamber on Friday. "Once the Commission's proposal is available, we need to come to an agreement quickly." Most recently, the federal and state governments differed when it came to distributing the costs.
From Schwesig's point of view, hurdles in the energy supply must also be removed. "We have to expand the networks faster in order to be able to transport liquid gas better," she demanded. Everything must also be done to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies. The changes in the law are also important in order to be able to quickly implement the LNG projects in front of Lubmin.
Schwesig welcomed further decisions by the Federal Council to extend the reduced VAT rate for the hospitality industry and simplified access to short-time work benefits. She is committed to ensuring that the VAT rate is permanently reduced.
