Paul Ziemiak attacks SPD over electricity tax dispute
CDU Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the CDU North Rhine-Westphalia, Paul Ziemiak, is attacking the SPD regarding the electricity tax dispute. He told the broadcasters RTL and ntv, The SPD is clearly pursuing policies against the hard-working people in our country. He stated that it is impossible to explain why people who keep the country running would not receive relief given the high cost of living.
In particular, Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) must concede on the electricity tax. The reduction was agreed upon in the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD and is urgently necessary. Ziemiak said, people can no longer afford a normal life. Whether at the gas station, the supermarket checkout, or with the electricity bill.
A relief measure must be financed by cutting expenditure elsewhere in the budget. He said, we have record debts. We have record tax revenues and now they want to introduce new taxes and burden the people even more.
Instead, the SPD invents new taxes and wants to increase others. I no longer understand the SPD, Ziemiak said. And that is a scandal. The previously achieved results were insufficient; the SPD must make concessions.
Although Ziemiak did not confirm reports that Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) intends to discuss the issue at the coalition committee next Tuesday, he fundamentally agrees that the reduction of the electricity tax should become a priority. He told the TV broadcaster Welt, We stand behind the Chancellor; the final word has not been spoken yet. And we support him in this fight for the people, that the electricity tax is reduced. And he has our full support.
The Member of Parliament had already criticized the Union's inadequate approach to the electricity tax issue in a party meeting. Now he has intensified his attacks on the coalition partner. He told Bild (Friday edition), if the SPD does not finally join us in making people's lives more affordable, it should not be surprised if people turn away from them. Pull yourselves together; we must find a solution for reducing the electricity tax. Within the Union faction, a complete blockade of the federal budget is now also being considered as a possible pressure tactic.
In the coalition agreement, the Union and SPD agreed to relieve businesses and consumers in Germany permanently by at least five cents per kWh with a package of measures. They stated, we will reduce the electricity tax for everyone to the European minimum and reduce surcharges and grid fees as an immediate measure.
