The third relief package decided by the traffic light coalition triggered mixed reactions among industry, trade unions and social organizations. While business representatives criticized the resolutions, among other things, as not being accurate enough, the Paritätische Wohlfahrtsverband warned of a continuing social imbalance. Voices from the opposition speak of a “multiple disappointing” package. “This is more of a work program for the government than an immediate relief package for the citizens,” commented Jens Spahn, Union Group Vice President, to “t-online”.
The further relief package decided by the coalition has a total volume of 65 billion euros. Among other things, a one-time payment of 300 euros to pensioners and 200 euros to students is planned. Those entitled to housing benefit receive an additional heating cost subsidy of 415 euros. The traffic light coalition also wants to finance an electricity price brake for citizens by skimming off profits from energy companies.
The head of the Ifo Institute, Clemens Fuest, thinks the resolutions are not accurate enough. It is positive that the federal government is “recognisably trying to let prices and thus incentives for energy saving work,” said the economist of the “Bild” newspaper (Monday edition). However, the coalition is “partly with the watering can on the way”.
The President of the Federation of German Industries, Siegfried Russwurm, is also dissatisfied. From the point of view of the economy, the measures are “disappointing and inconcrete”. Russwurm warns: “More and more businesses and companies are facing an existential threat in view of skyrocketing gas and electricity prices.” The companies most affected would have to receive appropriate aid very quickly and easily, beyond the now announced extension of peak compensation for energy-intensive companies.
Employer President Rainer Dulger also called the package “disappointing” overall. “It is right that the federal government absorbs social hardship,” said the BDA boss. “One of the main causes of inflation – energy policy – is not being tackled consistently.” Dietmar Bartsch, leader of the Left Party parliamentary group, also says “t-online” that Germany is not well prepared for the winter with this “in many cases disappointing” package .
Hans Peter Wollseifer, Secretary General of the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), was also disappointed. “There is a risk that many companies will long have run out of breath before the relief promised in the package takes effect.”
Economics Veronika Grimm praised the fact that “essentially people who are less able to cushion the hardship themselves” now receive grants. The measures on the electricity market and to cushion the special burdens on gas customers remained “still unspecific”, said the economist, the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
The Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband complained about ongoing social imbalances. Errors and injustices would be corrected in the relief package by now also taking pensioners and students into account, explained general manager Ulrich Schneider, also with a view to the planned housing benefit reform.
However, he criticized the fact that the Hartz IV standard rate is only to be raised to an expected €500 at the beginning of the year. It’s “a bad joke”. In addition, the increase could hardly compensate for inflation. “All in all, the plans presented are not suitable to give people any real confidence this fall.”
The president of the social association VdK, Verena Bentele, called the result “impressive”. The measures will prevent an explosion in electricity prices. However, a gas price cap is missing. The DGB chairwoman Yasmin Fahimi made a similar statement. “Overall, the catalog of measures is suitable for actually noticeably reducing the burden on people and companies,” explained Fahimi.
Verdi boss Frank Werneke described the relief package as “only half a step”. In particular, an effective price brake for electricity and gas is necessary. His union will measure the coalition against that,” explained Werneke. There were also no further direct payments for people with middle and rather low incomes.
