Magnette: “Returning billions of euros in excess profits to the people” | Instagram VTM NEWS

“The government must intervene immediately. The situation is very bad,” said the president of the French-speaking socialists. With rising energy prices, more and more families are having trouble paying their energy bills. In addition to a possible price blocking at European level, the federal government must also urgently take extra measures, Magnette believes. In addition, he believes the parties in the Vivaldi government must also transcend ideological conflicts. “Ideological conflicts are important, but there is an urgency. Now we have to put the ideology aside and help the working and middle class,” Magnette said.

According to the PS chairman, 1 billion euros can be obtained from the planned skimming of excess profits in the energy sector. That billion could then be used to “give back to the people.”

In concrete terms, Magnette is thinking of expanding the social rate. He himself speaks of a kind of ‘middle rate’. “That social tariff protects one fifth of the population,” explains Magnette. But many families who are now also having a hard time, just miss out on that rate.

Another option on the table is a basic gas package for those who do not receive a social rate. “Whether it’s a basic package or a mid-range rate, we have to give the excess profits back to the people and something has to be done now to reduce the bill,” said Magnette.

Expansion of the social rate costs 1 billion euros, says Van der Straeten

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