Despite the dramatically rising energy prices are no quick relief in sight for the citizens of Germany. About the abolition of the EEG surcharge to promote green electricity, for example, can only be decided by the new federal government – once it has taken office, said government spokesman Steffen Seibert on Monday. The SPD, Greens and FDP want their coalition negotiations to be concluded by the end of November so that Olaf Scholz (SPD) could be elected Chancellor during St. Nicholas Week.
Seibert emphasized that a number of measures had been taken in recent years to reduce energy costs. These include improvements in housing benefits, a reduction in the EEG surcharge for the coming year and an increase in the commuter allowance. The incumbent federal government is not planning any further measures.
For months, prices have been skyrocketing, especially for gas. The EU Commission recently made proposals to protect consumers from high heating and electricity costs. These include tax cuts, payments to affected households and subsidies for small businesses. Several countries have already taken such measures.