For consumers in Germany there will be no exemption from VAT on the gas surcharge. The EU Commission confirmed on Tuesday in Brussels that a cancellation of the tax is not possible, contrary to what the federal government had hoped. The German press comments on this with clear criticism: The EU is allowing German politics to run aground and is thus creating hostility.
“Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung”: “Things will get serious in the fall. That’s when the energy suppliers present the real bill for Putin’s war in Ukraine. And it will be high. The traffic light coalition, whose green part weeks ago before ‘popular uprisings’ warned, has promised a relief package by then that will take the social imbalance out of the price hike. It’s high time for that. Also because the EU Commission, with its usual solidity of principles, is letting German politics run aground and insisting on levying VAT for the gas levy. A touch of asociality is spreading.”
“Pforzheimer Zeitung”: By insisting on tax collection, Brussels is creating EU frustration and hostility at a time when European solidarity is increasingly becoming a feat of strength. It is to be feared that the traffic light will now invent a complicated equalization and redistribution mechanism that will ultimately lead to no one understanding and that will create new injustices. It is indisputable that there must be an agreement on further relief quickly, the citizens expect concrete commitments.
“Rhein-Zeitung”: “As with the topic of Corona, the SPD, but also the Greens, are led through the ring by the FDP and their Finance Minister Christian Lindner with the nose ring. The insistence on the black zero and the no to an excess profit tax, the According to a study, up to 100 billion euros would flow into the state budget are actually no longer employable in these times.
Yes, fast, targeted and effective relief is now needed, especially for precarious shifts. At the same time, however, a clear political signal is needed that the consequences of this crisis, which is also self-inflicted, are shouldered primarily by the well-off and the wealthy. There is a glaring lack of this solidarity. There is a great danger that the resulting feeling of injustice will lead to increasing radicalization. The traffic light must quickly put a stop to that.”
“Ludwigsburger Kreiszeitung”: “The Brussels decision is incomprehensible, because it is an unprecedented crisis situation in Europe and Germany, which not only justifies exceptions to the rule, but sometimes also requires them. By insisting on tax collection, Brussels is creating EU frustration and hostility at a time when European solidarity is becoming more and more of a tour de force anyway. It’s bad enough that Berlin didn’t provide clarity before the levy was announced. Now it’s up to the federal government to find solutions that work for the citizens and are acceptable to Brussels. However, it is to be feared that the traffic light will invent a complicated compensation and redistribution mechanism that will ultimately lead to no one seeing through it and that will create new injustices.”
“Südwest Presse”: “The demand sounds so understandable and so simple: Those who suffer particularly from the high gas prices should receive compensation from the state. In addition, this should happen as soon as possible, around October 1st, so then, even if the additional burden of the gas surcharge comes into play for the first time.Anyone who receives Hartz IV is not affected by the price increases for gas.
The job center covers the cost of heating accommodation. They also bear the rising costs and the surcharge. As a result, low earners, pensioners and people with a small income have to suffer particularly. The problem is: The state doesn’t know exactly who it is. The tax offices are the most suitable for this, but they are not designed to pay out aid. The traffic light coalition could set up the structures, but that will certainly take longer than the beginning of October.”
