On Thursday evening, the German parliament approved a large package of measures to help households with the sharply increased energy prices. Due to the high prices, the purchasing power of many citizens is under severe pressure. The aid measures amount to 15 billion euros.
One of the measures is a temporary reduction in excise duties on petrol and diesel. The reduction will take effect on 1 June and will be valid for three months. The excise tax on petrol will be reduced by almost 30 cents per liter and that on diesel by 14 cents. With this, the government wants to bring prices at the pump back to the level before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of the causes of the rising prices.
In addition to reducing excise duties, the German government also wants to encourage people to use public transport more often. That is why a monthly ticket for regional and local public transport will only cost 9 euros from June. This measure also applies for three months. The government is allocating 2.5 billion euros to compensate transport companies for the lost income.
The government also promises additional one-off payments. People on welfare will again receive a one-off amount of 100 euros, on top of a comparable amount that had already been promised. In addition, taxpayers will receive a compensation of 300 euros and the child benefit will increase by a one-off amount of 100 euros.
The Federal Council, the German senate, will vote on the measures on Friday.