Felix Banaszak, the head of the Green Party, opposes any potential increase to the commuter subsidy, suggesting instead that the government should implement a temporary speed limit to ease the burden of high fuel prices. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” (Friday edition), Banaszak argued that the proposed hike in the commuter subsidy would offer little relief to citizens who are already heavily burdened. He stated that a temporary speed limit would be the most obvious and quickest measure to implement in the mobility sector. “If fuel consumption drops, the price pressure will ease” the Green politician observed. He added that those who rely on their car daily for work would gain the most from this measure.
While opposing the subsidy increase, Banaszak welcomed the coalition’s potential plans to lower the electricity tax for everyone. However, he criticized the timing, stating that Friedrich Merz’s suggestion regarding the electricity tax reduction was welcome but far too late and risked becoming another unsubstantiated policy shift. Furthermore, Banaszak called for a “windfall tax” on oil corporations and a more affordable Germany ticket.
According to a report by the “Bild” newspaper, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) is considering a noticeable rise in the commuter subsidy, from the current 38 cents to potentially up to 45 cents per kilometer.