Katja Kipping, CEO of the Paritätischer Gesamtverband, criticized the newly introduced fuel discount just before its start on October 1st. Speaking to RTL and ntv on Tuesday, she argued that the measure “is not purpose-driven relief.” She pointed out that the subsidy would benefit individuals with high incomes as well.
Simultaneously, Kipping noted that the state still lacked 2.5 billion euros in other areas. She highlighted that the government was reportedly considering cuts to housing benefits (“Wohngeld”), which would disproportionately affect people struggling financially. “If you want to provide relief to people, it should be targeted,” Kipping asserted.
The fuel discount was established by the federal government as a way to ease the burden on drivers in the face of high gasoline prices. The Paritätischer Gesamtverband is an organization representing the interests of social institutions and associations in Germany.
