Energy policy | Expensive election gift

The federal government did not think about the railways in the latest relief package. Photo: dpa/Andreas Arnold The new edition of the fuel discount is a quick shot by the federal government shortly before the elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin. The ailing Chancellor Friedrich Merz decrees an expensive relief package. The estate will cost 2.5 billion euros by the end of the year, with the federal states covering half. The fuel discount is only partially suitable for relieving consumers in view of high fuel prices. Because it can once again be assumed that the oil companies will not pass on the entire discount. It is also support based on the watering can principle: it applies equally to everyone, not just to those in need. It remains to be seen how the planned fuel price cap will work as a further instrument.

What apparently plays no role at all in the federal government's considerations is the climate-damaging component of this support. Once again, a billion-dollar support package for fossil fuels is being put together. A responsible policy would also suggest alternatives in the area of ​​mobility.

Rising fuel prices could ultimately also be used as an opportunity to make switching to more climate-friendly means of transport more attractive. In such a case, why isn't the Germany ticket cheaper? Why aren't additional public transport connections being planned to specifically relieve commuters? The fact that these questions are not asked shows how little the federal government is linking the various problem areas in order to pursue a forward-looking policy in the interests of the people. For a long time she has seemed like a driven person who is falling into actionism in order not to be overthrown. Constructive politics cannot be expected from such a situation. The reintroduction of the fuel discount shows this all too clearly.

The »nd.Genossenschaft« belongs to its readers and authors. They are the ones who make our journalism accessible to everyone through their contribution: We are not backed by a media company, not a large advertising customer or even a billionaire.

With your support we can continue to:

→ report independently and critically → address overlooked topics → give space to marginalized voices → counter misinformation → advance left-wing debates

With “Pay voluntarily” you can take part. You help ensure that this newspaper has a future. So that nd remains.