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Germany unveils measures to tackle high energy prices

March 24, 2022

The measures include reduced fuel tax and €9 monthly tickets for public transport. They are planned to last for just three months.

https://p.dw.com/p/48yFY
Leaders of the three coalition parties, from left to right, Ricarda Lang of the Greens, Saskia Esken of the Social Democrats and Christian Lindner of the Free Democrats
The coalition government agreed on a series of measures after late night talksImage: Christophe Gateau/dpa/picture alliance

The German coalition government has agreed to a set of temporary measures to help people in Germany deal with the high energy costs that have been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The measures include a one-off energy tax-relief payment of €300 ($330), a three-month reduction in the tax on fuel and a three-month reduction in the cost of monthly tickets for public transport.

The government is hoping to relieve the financial burden on people who are facing not only high energy prices, but also increasing inflation.

Coalition's response to energy crisis

While the €300 bonus will be paid to people through their wages, those on social benefits will also receive a top-up of €100. Families who receive child support benefits will also see a one-off payment of €100 per child.

A proposal by one member of the coalition, the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP), to subsidize fuel for consumers when filling up their vehicles at gas stations, was rejected by the other coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) and the Greens.

The agreed proposals announced on Thursday were the result of talks that went on late into the night on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner, from the FDP, said the measures were aimed at achieving energy independence and efficiency as well as supporting citizens facing the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine.

"This should show the people of this country that we can be trusted to act in this crisis," he said.

Russia energy ban: Why so controversial?

Support for private cars and public transport

The tax on fuel for vehicles will be reduced, by 30 cents per liter for gasoline and 14 cents per liter for diesel.

"We don't want to abandon those who rely on their cars: commuters, families and tradespeople, to the rising fuel prices," Lindner said.

The government will also provide the funds to regional public transport organizations "so that the states can organize" the subsidies to monthly tickets, Green party co-leader Ricarda Lang said.

She underlined the focus to invest "massively in public transport" to make it "cheaper" than ever before, even if only as a temporary measure.

ab/nm (dpa, Reuters, AFP)