Hesse’s Prime Minister, Boris Rhein (CDU), is demanding that the fuel discount not be limited to three months, but instead be extended until 2027. Speaking to “Stern,” Rhein stated that while the fuel price brake is beneficial, “we will naturally need it after the initial three months.” He stressed the need to curb living costs generally, urging the government to also provide answers regarding the affordability of heating. The CDU politician further proposed eliminating the carbon dioxide levy and lowering the electricity tax to achieve this.
Following the recent state elections, he called for a significant policy reversal from the federal government. Rhein emphasized that families, in particular, should not bear further financial strain. Consequently, he demanded that the cuts to the parental allowance must be rescinded. Furthermore, he argued against any tax increases on groceries or even on luxurious goods. The Hessian Prime Minister called for the removal of the sugar tax and the increase in the tobacco tax. Rhein criticized the current strategy, stating, “We cannot relieve citizens at the gas pump and then take that money back out of their pockets at the supermarket checkout. This is not fair policy. We should also equalize the cold progression.”
