Saarländisch Minister-President Anke Rehlinger of the SPD is increasing pressure on the federal government regarding the reduction of electricity taxes, criticizing Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) for making what she believes to be empty promises. Rehlinger told the “Rheinische Post” that since life must remain affordable, lowering the electricity tax for everyone is a good way to provide direct relief. However, the SPD politician argued that the Chancellor’s announcement constitutes an empty promise unless a concrete financing solution is available, stating that the federal government holds the total responsibility for finding that funding. Merz himself had stated during a recent CSU party conference that the electricity tax must be lowered if at all possible so that people would have more money in their pockets. Looking toward the high prices of gasoline and diesel, Rehlinger added that it would greatly help if the federal government forcefully implemented the agreed-upon measures concerning fuel. She specifically pointed to the cap on fuel prices, modeled after Luxembourg. Furthermore, she suggested that the fuel discount could be financed by collecting a portion of the billion-dollar profits generated by petroleum companies.
Politics
