FDP Finance Minister Christian Lindner dampens expectations of further relief. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa
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Finance Minister Lindner wants to save again. He rejects expectations for further relief – at least for the time being.
Berlin.
Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner has dampened hopes of more rapid relief for citizens and companies in view of the high inflation.
He had read that the coalition wanted to make a decision before the summer break, the FDP chairman told the news portal t-online. “But there is little financial and legal leeway for this if we don’t save elsewhere. That must be taken into account with all proposals.”
SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich and Minister of Agriculture Cem recently had further relief Özdemir (Greens) brought into play. In particular, the middle of society need this because of rising energy and food prices, said Mützenich also t-online. Özdemir argued similarly in the “Welt am Sonntag”: “After the relief package is before the relief package.”
Wait for the effects of the measures
Lindner guessed now to let the previous measures take effect. For example, a family of four has just been relieved of over 300 euros. “I recommend new measures for the coming year. The middle of our country deserves tax relief, especially the small and middle incomes. In view of the high inflation, we must prevent cold progression.”
The finance minister was also reluctant to extend the energy price flat rate of 300 to pensioners. “There are no reserves in the federal budget 2022,” he emphasized. “Relief never fails because of the Free Democrats. But at the same time, the federal government has reached its financial limits.” The flat-rate energy price for pensioners would cost the federal and state governments 5.3 billion euros.
The fact that pensioners and students did not receive the flat-rate energy price had triggered considerable criticism from social organizations, among others. The Minister of Finance pointed out on t-online that the concept for the lump sum came from Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hubertus Heil (SPD). (dpa)
