Philipp Türmer, leader of the SPD’s youth wing (Juso), has called for a swift reduction in the electricity tax, emphasizing the urgency of the matter before the parliamentary committee on the coalition. In an interview with Politico, Türmer highlighted the “financing reservation” as a key obstacle. He noted that many CDU state premiers have resisted discussions about increased taxes on wealth or high incomes.
Türmer suggested that the electricity tax reduction should ideally be funded by the coalition addressing issues of equitable distribution. He cautioned against using cuts to the Bürgergeld (citizen’s income) as a counter-financing measure, arguing that such measures would undermine the Bürgergeld’s core objective of quickly placing people in employment.
“If we want to fulfill the mandate that the Bürgergeld is actually intended for – to get people into work quickly – we need to put more money in people’s hands” Türmer stated. He dismissed proposals relying on sanctions as a means of significant savings, asserting that these approaches are misguided. Türmer stressed the importance of a robust social safety net that people perceive as a supportive partner.
Specifically addressing potential savings from Bürgergeld cuts, Türmer warned against a return to the previous Hartz IV system. He emphasized that a key achievement of the Bürgergeld was the abolition of the placement priority, fostering better cooperation between individuals and job centers. This, he believes, is the most effective pathway to quickly connecting people with suitable employment opportunities that benefit both individuals and businesses.
