During its two-day leadership seminar, the CDU agreed to strongly advocate for a reduction in the electricity tax benefiting all citizens.
Speaking at the Konrad-Adenauer-Haus on Monday, Merz stressed the importance of providing financial relief to the country’s residents. He mentioned that the recent decisions regarding fuel price reductions had already sent a strong signal in this direction. Furthermore, he stated that the party will strive within the government to allocate necessary financial flexibility in the federal budget to lower the electricity tax for everyone down to the European minimum.
Merz explained that this action would fulfill a pledge made last year and help close a perceived gap in commitment.
The deliberations regarding the 2027 federal budget are currently underway in the Bundestag and are scheduled for approval on November 27, 2026. However, the possibility of reaching an agreement between the Union and the SPD regarding the tax reduction by that date remains uncertain.
Merz commented on the financing, noting that the confirmation and stabilization of current economic growth could play a critical role. He referenced an updated growth forecast of 1.3 percent for the coming year, up from 1.1 percent. He calculated that a one percent increase in growth in Germany could generate about ten billion euros in higher tax revenue, of which five billion would go to the federal level. He concluded that this specific one percent growth is precisely what would provide the necessary financial leeway.
