The Green Party members in the Bundestag criticized the current government’s measures against high energy prices, insisting they are misguided. Instead, they are calling for a “climate dividend” delivered through direct payments. According to Lisa Badum, the party’s climate policy spokesperson, the current combination of petrol discounts and a 1,000 Euro bonus, provided to the media outlet “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” only seems designed to benefit people who own cars or have employment contracts. She added that this assistance is contingent on the willingness of oil corporations and employers. The Green Party politician argued that a direct disbursement mechanism-which was used during the coalition government’s tenure-would allow for the easy relief of all people in Germany. Badum maintained that a climate dividend is both practical and environmentally conscious, suggesting that the only thing opposing such a measure are the vested interests of the fossil fuel lobby. Meanwhile, the federal government has announced a temporary reduction of the energy tax on diesel and gasoline by about 17 cents per liter for two months, while employers will also be permitted to pay employees a tax- and contribution-free “relief bonus” of up to 1,000 Euros.
Politics
