Shortly before the federal and state governments discussed a financial package for relief measures, the federal government’s new plans caused “irritation” among the states.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst (CDU) said on Wednesday in Berlin after preliminary consultations with the states that the federal government envisages half the participation of the states in hardship regulations. This was not discussed in the preparation.
Lower Saxony’s Prime Minister Stephan Weil (SPD) spoke of “irritations” immediately before a meeting of state leaders with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The topic has gained momentum. A 50:50 rule does not meet with approval from the federal states. This will still have to be discussed with the federal government.
Federal government presents new key issues paper
The background is a key issues paper presented by the federal government on Wednesday on relief for electricity and gas customers. Accordingly, there are also provisions for cases of hardship that are not sufficiently relieved by the planned energy price brakes. Small and medium-sized companies are to be waived another gas advance payment in January on application – according to the federal government’s ideas, the federal and state governments should each take on half the financing of a total of two billion euros.
The talks between the federal and state governments are also about a follow-up solution for the nationwide local transport ticket that expired at the end of August. The aim is a ticket for 49 euros per month, which could be valid from January.
Meanwhile, Weil and Wüst insisted on consistent help with the high energy prices. “We think it is necessary that we come to a uniform path of relief. We cannot recommend to anyone that they relieve citizens one month, burden them the next, and then relieve them again,” emphasized Weil.
Wüst: Winter gap in January is not wise
Wüst said there shouldn’t be a winter gap. “When it’s technically difficult, you have to be pragmatic.” In this case, it should be announced earlier that the gas price brake will have retrospective effect. People needed planning security. “It’s not wise to leave a gap in January, the coldest month of the year.”
Several Prime Ministers were optimistic about the implementation and financing of the crisis relief measures on Wednesday. The reason for the meeting was that a result was delivered, said Schleswig-Holstein’s Prime Minister Daniel Günther (CDU) on the “Welt” station. “Because we need clarity, especially when it comes to relief for citizens.” In addition, you have to get a fair financial distribution. “And I’m very sure that we can also achieve a result today.”
He goes into the conversation with a good feeling, said Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) in Berlin. “We need planning security now. I assume that I will have planning security tonight. I can then build my state protection umbrella on that.”
Lindner: Good rapprochement between the federal and state governments
Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) said before the federal-state consultations on Wednesday that the first talks had resulted in a good rapprochement between the federal and state governments. It’s about fair burden sharing. Even before the talks, it was achieved that the countries would be supported in areas that were important to them. “At the same time, it also became clear in advance that the federal states respect the financial limits that the federal government has,” said Lindner. If you continue to treat each other with such respect, you can be optimistic about the course of the talks.
Already on Tuesday there were indications that the federal government could offer the states more money for local public transport and for the reception and integration of refugees. The focus of the talks is likely to be the question of how and, above all, when the recently enormously increased prices for gas and electricity will be pushed down for the citizens.
