SPD parliamentary group deputy Armand Zorn welcomed the potential increase of the commuter allowance and the reduction of the electricity tax, but also called for a fuel price cap and a so-called “excess profit tax”. Zorn told the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition), stating, “We must assume that gasoline prices will remain high, which is why we need targeted and effective relief measures implemented promptly”.
The SPD politician, who is co-leading the parliamentary groups’ fuel price task force with Union deputy Sepp Müller, remarked that “increasing the commuter allowance can be a good way to specifically relieve commuters. Furthermore, lowering the electricity tax can help ease the burden on citizens and gradually reduce dependence on oil and gas”.
Regarding the energy sector, Zorn insisted on ensuring that the money does not remain in the pockets of the oil and mineral companies. He believes that introducing a fuel price cap is sensible because it limits the profit margins of these corporations. Concurrently, he argued for an excess profit tax designed to recoup “excess profits made due to the energy sector crisis, such as after the Ukraine crisis, and return that money to the consumers”.
