Hessian Minister of Economics Kaweh Mansoori (SPD) defended the argument regarding a planned, tax-free €1,000 subsidy, following the federal council’s rejection of the measure. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” (Saturday edition), he acknowledged that the subsidy is not a panacea and noted that the idea faces considerable criticism from within the business community. Mansoori stressed that the issue requires further negotiation.
He also pushed back against the idea that political allegiances dictate policy. According to Mansoori, there should not be automatic party conformity; just because Hessen is governed by a coalition of SPD and Greens (Schwarz-Rot), it does not mean they must agree with every proposal originating from the federal government. He emphasized that disagreement on policy matters is normal in a federal democracy, a process supported by institutions such as the Mediation Committee.
Ultimately, he stated that the focus must shift to tackling the root problem of financial relief. Mansoori argued that those entities responsible for creating the problem-specifically the fossil fuel conglomerates-must be accountable, insisting that these companies “have not received enough money”.
