The union Verdi criticized the governing coalition’s proposal for an optional, tax- and levy-free relief bonus offered by employers. Verdi leader Frank Werneke stated on Monday that basing the planned bonus of up to 1,000 euros on whether individual employers voluntarily pay it out is a deeply flawed concept. He argued that this measure would leave many employees in difficult situations, particularly those whose companies cannot or will not contribute, thus deepening societal division.
Meanwhile, Werneke viewed the announced temporary reduction in energy taxes on diesel and gasoline as a positive first step toward easing the burden due to soaring energy prices. However, he added that the coalition’s overall plans fall significantly short of what is truly necessary, suggesting that the governing parties are being unduly influenced by oil and gas corporations. As the Verdi chief pointed out, the coalition lacks the political will to cap profit margins on fuels, as successfully implemented in countries like Luxembourg and Belgium, nor are there any concrete plans to tax the excess profits of these corporations separately.
The consumer advice center association also voiced criticism. Ramona Pop, chief of VZBV, questioned whether the “expensive fuel discount” would actually reach consumers, suggesting that a “Tankrabatt 2.0” is not a good idea from a consumer perspective. She noted that even after the war in Ukraine, the temporary reduction of energy taxes on gasoline and diesel proved to be costly, not reliably beneficial, and ultimately did not reach the consumers as intended. Consequently, she demanded that if the energy tax is reduced, there must be strict monitoring to ensure that the relief is passed entirely on to consumers.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister of Saarland, Anke Rehlinger (SPD), advocated for additional measures. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” Rehlinger acknowledged that the energy tax reduction provides palpable, immediate relief but stated that this is insufficient in the long term. She argued that those who make excessive profits during times of crisis must be held more accountable, requiring stricter antitrust laws and mechanisms to claw back excess profits. She also maintained that price caps, similar to those in Luxembourg, remain sensible.
In a separate statement, the Prime Minister of Thuringia, Mario Voigt (CDU), welcomed the federal government’s decision to temporarily lower the mineral oil tax on fuels by 17 percent for two months. Voigt told the RND that the relief at the gas pump is an important signal for the country’s people, helping many individuals immediately in their daily lives.