Efforts to swiftly alleviate the burden of electricity taxes on private consumers are facing scrutiny and a cautious approach within the ruling parties. Sepp Müller, parliamentary group vice-chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has tempered expectations for a rapid implementation of promised relief, emphasizing the substantial financial implications involved.
“Private consumers and small businesses must be relieved” Müller stated in an interview with “Welt”, adding that such a measure would cost approximately six billion euros annually. He explained that officials are currently intensely examining how to incorporate this expense into the national budget, prioritizing accuracy over speed.
Müller also highlighted that previous commitments to reduce energy costs have already resulted in significant tax cuts across the board, benefiting both states and local municipalities. He pointed to measures such as the reduction of the gas storage levy and network charges as existing forms of consumer relief. He further advocated for accelerating the elimination of the gas storage levy due January 1st, 2026, to provide timely support for energy-intensive industries such as paper, glass and basic chemicals.
However, Jan Redmann, parliamentary group leader of the CDU in the Brandenburg state parliament and CDU state chairman, reaffirmed the commitment of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group to extend electricity tax relief to private households. “Relieving all consumers of the electricity tax is a matter of fairness and credibility” Redmann told “Welt”. He argued against selectively providing relief to specific groups, citing discrepancies between pre-election promises and the existing coalition agreement. He dismissed the argument that insufficient funds are available for extending the tax cut, asserting that savings can be found within the budget.
Redmann specifically criticized what he perceived as a lack of initiative from Federal Labour Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) regarding reforms to welfare payments. He believes insufficient pressure is being applied to individuals capable of working but not actively seeking employment.
CDU politician Wolfgang Bosbach echoed this sentiment, underscoring that the core issue extends beyond the specific question of whether electricity price reductions should apply solely to industry or private households. He emphasized that the matter is fundamentally about the credibility and reliability of political commitments. Bosbach countered the argument that the cost of broad-based reductions was unforeseen, stating that these costs should have been factored in from the outset.