Saarland’s Minister President Anke Rehlinger has issued a stark warning to the German federal government, urging a swift and decisive implementation of planned corporate relief measures. Rehlinger, of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), characterized the current state of the German economy as a “crisis” in an interview with the “Rheinische Post”, signaling a growing internal pressure within the ruling coalition.
The call for accelerated action comes ahead of a critical meeting of coalition leaders this Wednesday evening, where representatives from both the SPD and Christian Democratic Union (CDU) are expected to discuss topics including the proposed industrial electricity price and the overarching power plant strategy. Rehlinger emphasized that successful navigation out of this economic slowdown hinges on immediate and robust action from the federal level, specifically highlighting the crucial role of Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Katherina Reiche and her ability to secure necessary concessions within the European Union.
A primary concern revolves around the contested industrial electricity price model. Rehlinger voiced fears that without significant adaptation, the current design risks rendering the measure ineffective for key sectors like steel, potentially subjecting German industry to a competitive disadvantage. She stressed the need for the industrial electricity price to function synergistically with existing support mechanisms, especially those targeted at industries facing acute energy cost pressures.
Beyond the industrial electricity price, Rehlinger underscored the imperative of finalizing and executing the power plant strategy, specifically mentioning the urgent need for a tender process for additional gas-fired power plants. This, she insisted, is crucial to ensuring a stable and predictable energy supply, a prerequisite for investment and growth. Rehlinger’s statements reflect a growing sentiment among regional leaders and businesses, who are demanding faster progress on policies aimed at improving Germany’s economic outlook and restoring investor confidence. The pressure is now squarely on Minister Reiche to demonstrate the necessary political clout to deliver tangible results from Brussels and within the coalition itself.