The traffic light disputes of the past few weeks should be over: harmony is back between the SPD and the Greens. At the same time, the three parties decide on new relief - including tax-free one-off payments to low and middle earners.
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the federal government is working on a "precise, tailor-made" package to further relieve people of the high energy prices. The government will soon complete the work on it, said Scholz at the end of the cabinet retreat at Meseberg Castle near Berlin.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck announced various measures to rein in the high energy prices. For this it is necessary to generate a lowering effect from the market. Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner promised a "massive package" to relieve the burden on citizens.
As ntv learned from government circles, the coalition is planning tax-free one-off payments to low and middle earners. This "inflation premium" should be between 800 and 1500 euros. In addition, the housing allowance is to be supplemented by a heating component and thus increased.
In addition, there should be a one-off child supplement. A one-off payment should also go to Hartz IV recipients, pensioners and students who do not pay taxes. As demanded by the SPD parliamentary group, an EU-wide industrial electricity price should also be examined. The short-time allowance is also to be extended beyond September.
Lindner said he still sees scope in the budget for 2022 for relief for citizens in the single-digit billion range. Among other things, this is due to the tax revenue, which is bubbling up more than expected. In 2023 the scope will be even greater because precautions have already been taken here. Overall, the volume of the package should add up to 30 billion to 40 billion euros.
Before the retreat at Meseberg Castle, the tone in the coalition had sharpened significantly. What was new was that the SPD and the Greens in particular reproached each other. Apparently, that should now be the end of it: Habeck said he wanted to underline "how good it is that Olaf Scholz is leading this government".
