The planned third relief package of the traffic light coalition is generally praised by many experts and associations. But there is still no lack of criticism: Economics Monika Schnitzer was critical in an interview with the “Handelsblatt”: “The package is large. But it contains at least as many ambiguities as relief measures. This applies to the design of the plans, but above all to the financing,” says the economist.
She also has doubts that Finance Minister Christian Lindner will be able to finance all measures within the framework of the planned budgets and in compliance with the debt brake in the coming year.
“According to Lindner, 32 billion euros should come from the federal budget. And the rest? That is largely unclear. The traffic light has formulated a lot of goals, but hardly shows the way there. The principle of hope applies here,” says Schnitzer. Lindner does have one further suspension of the debt brake and a supplementary budget ruled out.”But I still lack the imagination as to how this should succeed if you really want to implement all the relief.”
More on the subject: Guest article by Gabor Steingart – Nine reasons why the traffic light savings package does not reach citizens
The expert sees two large open flanks in the relief package. “Firstly, the consumers of gas: none of the announced measures relate specifically to this group, which has to accept by far the heaviest price burdens. We often talk about a quadrupling of prices. For them there is only the previously announced reduction in VAT on gas. But that will not be enough by a long shot.”
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Schnitzer sees the second problem in the lower middle class, which earns just enough that the increase in unemployment rates and the expansion of housing benefits will not bring them anything, but who also have no savings to absorb rising energy prices. “This group benefits from some measures that are poured out with the watering can, such as the electricity price brake and the tax cut. But the government hasn’t solved the problem of not being able to send money directly to these people.”
A private plane crashed into the Baltic Sea on its way from Spain to Cologne. Previously, all contact with the plane was broken off. Air Force Eurojets rose to get a picture of the situation in the air. Four people are said to have been on board the Cessna 551.
