Berlin It should be powerful, “precise” and “tailor-made”. In the run-up to the third relief package, the coalition is making big promises. Unlike the second package, this time everyone should be considered. “You’ll never walk alone” – no one will be left behind, promises the Chancellor. With which Olaf Scholz has already subconsciously outlined the core problem of his own government actions.
With this announcement, the federal government is fueling the expectation that every citizen will benefit from state aid. However, the traffic light coalition will have to disappoint this expectation if the relief package is to be really “precise”.
In the end, there must be no package in which each party delights its own clientele with measures that it always wanted to implement. Germany needs one with targeted measures – with a large impact at the same time.
For that, the government will have to leave someone behind. In fact, she will have to leave a great many behind. Namely all those who can pay the rising gas, energy and food prices on their own.
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A welfare state is not to be confused with a fully comprehensive republic. He does not offer all-round carefree insurance for everyone. A welfare state is there to help those who really need help, i.e. the low-income people in particular.
Millions of low-income citizens will soon no longer know how to pay for their utility bills. At the same time, an economic crash is imminent. This does not necessarily have to lead to popular uprisings. But the gentleman in the Kremlin is intent on foisting social explosives on western societies by turning on the gas tap.
With precise payments, there is enough money
This is where the traffic light has to start: with a reform of the housing benefit, with “heavy” direct payments to those on low incomes, with “tailor-made” help such as the child allowance. Flanked with savings incentives for consumers and aid for the economy.
If politicians concentrate on this, there will be enough money for the time being. If not, the traffic light can decide on a supplementary budget or suspend the debt brake again. But only if necessary. And not because the SPD and the Greens consider the rule nonsensical.
A proposal by the SPD parliamentary group shows how important debt rules are. The Social Democrats are seriously considering cutting climate investments to finance the relief. The inhibition thresholds in politics are always lower than many people think.
More: Government announces “massive” relief package – and continues to argue about its financing