By Boris Dombrowski
The fear of expensive continues to spread! Record inflation and the energy price shock are causing more and more Berliners to cope. The CDU is now insisting on massive relief for the citizens.
“We are in the middle of the country’s worst crisis. The fear of war and social decline is higher than ever,” says CDU parliamentary group and state leader Kai Wegner (50) and criticizes: “There really was enough talk. Only actions count now!”
His faction demands:
►A price cap also on electricity and heating oil! Because: “Around 590,000 Berliners heat with oil. They don’t get anything from the gas price cap and need real relief, just like all electricity customers,” says Wegner.
►VAT down! “In order to noticeably relieve the burden on citizens and increase purchasing power, the regular VAT rate must be reduced from 19 to 15 percent and the reduced rate from 7 to 5 percent for a limited period of time,” demands Wegner.
He also wants to completely abolish VAT on basic foods (bread, milk, butter, eggs, fruit, vegetables) for a limited period of time.
Wegner calls on Berlin’s ruler Franziska Giffey (44, SPD) to apply pressure at the next federal-state meeting between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (64, SPD) and the state leaders (planned for November 2nd).
Because: “There is no more time to wait for help from the federal government,” said the parliamentary group leader.