The logistics sector and taxpayer associations have strongly criticized the fact that the planned, temporary reduction of the energy tax on fuels is not expected to take effect until early May. Dirk Engelhardt, the head of the Federal Association for Goods Transport, Logistics, and Disposal (BGL), stated in the “Bild” newspaper that this “extraordinarily long timeframe is symptomatic of the state of our country overall”. In contrast to this perceived gridlock, he noted that neighboring countries are setting an example of how efficiently governance can operate, noting that policy decisions are made and implemented within days.
Engelhardt further argued that these delays could force businesses into insolvency. He pointed out the stark contrast between current red tape and historical instances, such as the rapid package negotiations and approvals by the Bundestag during the Greek bailout in 2010. He stressed, “If German auto and truck drivers are to receive a tax relief of a mere 1.6 billion euros, the Bundestag requires weeks. It is unbelievable. The government is pushing more companies into bankruptcy with this dragging process”.
Complementing this criticism, Reiner Holznagel, President of the Federal Association of Taxpayers, told the “Bild” that while the ruling coalition has finally acknowledged that mobility must remain affordable, the anticipation of the relief funds is “even more bitter”. He expressed that the resultant frustration is completely understandable, concluding that the process exemplifies “slow and lamenting politics” lamenting that the chance for quick action had been lost. Christoph Minhoff, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Industry Association, echoed this sentiment, warning that the only message to take away from the situation is that “every day counts-the faster the better”.
