MThe economics minister and vice chancellor certainly believes that when he says that the gas levy has “rather soured” his position recently. Even the choking on the value added tax had shown that this construct is not a masterpiece, but a makeshift, quickly nailed together, with which the collapse of gas suppliers and with them the gas supply is to be prevented.
This should succeed with the funds collected through the allocation. However, companies that do not absolutely need it could also use this pot. Apart from these companies, nobody likes that, because after all, the levy is driving up the gas price, which has already exploded. The big question of (distribution) justice does not only arise in the traffic light coalition.
Then the sour days will seem sweet
This will be much more severe in the winter when the economic situation continues to deteriorate as a result of the energy shortage. Then the government alliance of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP will be faced with times that, in retrospect, could make the sour days in August seem downright sweet, not only to the Economics Minister.
The pressure to lift sanctions against Russia in exchange for cheaper gas will continue to mount. And the ideological differences between the coalition parties, which are evident, for example, in the discussion about the excess profit tax and the debt brake, should then become even clearer than before.
Putin would claim the shooting down for himself
Could the coalition break up because of their differences? Putin would undoubtedly claim this shooting down for himself. However, the three parties cannot and must not let it get that far. That would be an earthquake that shook not only Germany, but all of Europe – in the worst crisis since the Second World War. The traffic light is sentenced to rule for four years. It’s high time she learned.
