Economic expert and advisor to nobility, Veronika Grimm, criticized the German federal government’s proposed relief measures for motorists. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday edition), Grimm stated that since the country is experiencing an energy crisis, in which significant amounts of oil and gas are estimated to have been lost due to destroyed production facilities, the situation remains volatile. She argued that the focus should entirely be on conserving energy. Instead, she criticized the government for intending to keep the demand for fossil fuels artificially high through tax reductions, which, according to her, is contrary to what should be necessary. Grimm concluded that the political leadership seems to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the current situation.
Grimm advised that while targeted relief may occasionally be appropriate, it should definitely not be implemented indiscriminately. She suggested that high-income earners should be capable of bearing additional burdens themselves, advocating instead for more precise, goal-oriented policies. She emphasized this need for careful planning given the already strained state of the federal budget, despite the significant debt accumulated during the current legislative term.
Offering alternative solutions, Grimm pointed out that reducing the electricity tax for everyone would have been a sensible measure that has not been taken. Furthermore, she stressed the urgent need to address long-delayed structural reforms. She warned that the country will continue to deteriorate if attention is given only to reacting hastily to every crisis, rather than completing the necessary fundamental reforms.
