Katharina Dröge, the Greens’ faction leader in the Bundestag, called for an immediate reduction in the electricity tax while simultaneously warning against extending the existing fuel discount. Speaking to the RTL and ntv show “Frühstart” Dröge stated that lowering the electricity tax could have been achieved quickly, arguing it would have been a sensible move by the coalition committee. She criticized the coalition for failing to implement this, labeling their performance a failure.
In contrast, Dröge dismissed the idea of extending the fuel discount, explaining that the discount is already being passed on in increasingly smaller amounts. She argued that Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has ultimately failed with both measures proposed during this crisis. Dröge pointed out that the German Bundesrat stopped the effort to cut the electricity tax, and the fuel discount continues to diminish with each cycle.
The Green politician stated that the fuel discount attempt had already failed in the past when her party was part of the ruling coalition, and she predicts it will fail again, concluding that it is not a worthwhile measure and must not be extended.
Instead, Dröge urged the government to introduce measures that would simultaneously motivate citizens to switch to alternative technologies. Given that oil and gas are already prohibitively expensive, she suggested the coalition could use this opportunity to make living with alternatives more affordable. As an example, she advocated for introducing a scrappage premium for old heating appliances.
