Sven Schulze of the CDU, Minister President of Saxony-Anhalt, criticized the budget decisions of the black-red coalition. Schulze, who is also a member of the CDU presidium, told Stern on Thursday that the back and forth regarding the electricity tax causes the Union to completely lose credibility with millions of people. Schulze also demanded that the issue of compensating for creeping inflation (kalte Progression) be addressed. Schulze explained that deciding on a sugar tax in parallel while hoping that preventing a plastic tax will be seen by voters as a great success is a dead end. Merz had previously urged for a reduction in the electricity tax for all citizens and companies. The CDU had also pushed for this in a presidium decision in October. The Union and SPD have so far not been able to agree on the 2027 budget. The joint agreement between the Union and SPD stipulated that “businesses and consumers in Germany must be permanently relieved by at least five cents per kWh with a package of measures.” Schulze added that as an immediate measure, they will lower the electricity tax for everyone to the European minimum and reduce surcharges and grid fees.
Mixed
