German dispute over state intervention to tackle rising energy prices
 | For print products: | Dietmar Rabich / / |
Germany energy prices: Finance minister calls for 3 measures to tackle crisis
German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil, a leader of the Social Democratic Party, continues to pressure the government to intervene to tackle rising energy prices by imposing a windfall profits tax, cutting energy taxes, and setting a fuel price cap.
Klingbeil, who also serves as vice chancellor, told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper: “The most effective thing right now is to intervene in the market. We see this in other European countries. I believe we should also have this courage.”
Meanwhile, Economy Minister Katrin Reich (Christian Democratic Union) publicly rejects these proposals, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz (Christian Democratic Union) views them with skepticism. Associates of Merz said he is “annoyed by the public dispute and calls on Minister Reich to exercise restraint.”
Talks are expected over the weekend between the two ruling coalition partners (the conservative Christian Democratic Union alliance and the Social Democratic Party). According to Reich’s statements, coalition leaders plan to discuss potential measures on Sunday in the coalition committee.
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