German Government Official Defends Decision on Electricity Tax
The head of the Chancellor’s Office, Thorsten Frei, has defended the decision not to reduce the electricity tax for households. While it is desirable and remains the government’s fundamental goal, it must also be “fiscally responsible” Frei told the TV channel “Welt” on Thursday. Alternative options for relief will be explored, he added.
“It is indeed the case that not everything we would like to do can be realized” Frei said, whose party had promised a swift and noticeable reduction in electricity prices during the election campaign. “We have a strained budget situation, so we must look at how we can manage it.”
The cabinet had collectively approved the budget plan, Frei stated. “In the parliamentary process, we will look for better alternatives at one or another point” he said. “But, in my opinion, one must approach this in a sober and realistic manner and consider how to bring the justified wishes and expectations we have into harmony with the budget reality. Our goal of reducing the electricity tax and reducing it more broadly, is not something we are giving up, but rather we are seeking ways to make it a reality.