Proposal sought for directive securing workers from ionizing radiation-related hazards, as per Commission's request.

26th June, 2025, 3:03pm

Proposal sought for directive securing workers from ionizing radiation-related hazards, as per Commission's request.

Just before the SPD party conference, Minister President Wüst takes Vice Chancellor Klingbeil to task - this time over the heated issue of electricity prices.

By Chris and Marty

Minister President Hendrik Wüst takes Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil to task for potentially breaking the black-red coalition agreement. Wüst critiques that Klingbeil plans to lower only the electricity tax for companies, not individuals, starting from January 1, 2026. Wüst declares Klingbeil's proposal as disadvantaging hardworking citizens, who are already feeling the pinch from soaring electricity costs.

A Stormy Road for Klingbeil at the SPD Conference

The timing of the criticism is less than ideal, as Klingbeil stands for re-election as Co-Chair of the SPD party this weekend. The SPD has suffered a significant electoral setback, leaving plenty of topics for debate at the Berlin conference. Delegates from North Rhine-Westphalia, in particular, are eager to voice their concerns regarding Klingbeil's leadership direction. The discontent within the largest state association is clearly audible.

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The fact that the already criticized SPD leader is now publicly reprimanded by a Christian Democrat for neglecting the needs of smaller-income families is unlikely to please Klingbeil.

Wüst keeps his criticism focused on Klingbeil, careful not to directly criticize Federal Chancellor Merz. "It's a trade-off, plain and simple," says Wüst, acknowledging the financial constraints but emphasizing the necessity to address energy costs. Hence, he deems the reduction in electricity tax as indispensable.

Conspicuously absent from Wüst's rhetoric is the fact that the Christian Democratic party, a part of the federal government, supports Klingbeil's tax plans, as evidenced by the adoption of the 2025 budget in the cabinet.

CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann had already criticized this disagreement within the ruling coalition. Another Christian Democrat from North Rhine-Westphalia, Oliver Götting, called on the Merz-Klingbeil government to reconsider their stance by giving up a favorite CSU project instead.

Criticism from Multiple Corners

NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens) shares Wüst's sentiment, criticizing the existing approach in Berlin as costing the public’s trust and endangering the support for the energy transition.

The head of the German Social Association, Michaela Engelmeier, also joined the chorus of critics, considering the decision to make energy cheaper for only businesses but not consumers to be a misguided signal. Engelmeier used to be a member of the Bundestag from NRW and hails from the SPD.

The black-red federal government defends the proposed step, stating that consumers are relieved through the abolition of the gas storage surcharge and lowering of network charges. Moreover, a reduction in the electricity tax for consumers is conceivable later in the legislative period.

Relief on the Horizon for Industries, But Not for Everyone

However, the industrial electricity price subsidy for businesses appears to be a done deal. The EU Commission has given the green light to the basic idea of providing relief to industries with high energy consumption. This initiative was proposed by the NRW SPD years ago, with the black-green state government pushing for the same.

The new federal government had indeed agreed to this measure in the coalition agreement. "That's what they said," explains SPD state leader Achim Post. The EU Commission has imposed conditions for the exact implementation, such as supported companies having to invest in CO2 reduction projects. Minister of Economics Neubaur views this decision as a promising opportunity for the industry in NRW.

However, there is less excitement for the FDP. Their state leader Henning Hoene acknowledges the urgent need for relief for manufacturing industries, but not through market interventions like the industrial electricity price, which he deems inefficient. "We require a different approach," asserts Hoene, explaining that a targeted reduction in energy costs for consumers would more effectively benefit those who need it the most.

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Join us for the latest updates on electricity and gas prices on TV and radio tomorrow.

Sources:

• Wüst, Neubaur, Post, and Hoene in response to our website's request
• News agencies dpa and Reuters
• Personal research
• Subscribe to our website's politics newsletter for NRW | Read More

[1]https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/vergaseraufschlag-will-merkel-wust-und-duintscheidt-abboliden/27567412.html[2]https://www.tag24.de/politik/kapitalmarkt/energiepreis-mit-unternehmen-gehen-sozialdemokraten-mehr-milliarden-sicher/[3]https://www.faz.net/aktuell/wirtschaft/energiepreise/kein-unterlassen-vor-einheit-luthe-und-mueller-klingbeil-belasten-die-details-des-antriebs/18375039.html[4]https://www.n-tv.de/politik/energiepolitik-hartnieder-schlage-blau-rotes-koalitionsllikt-OL-article26235304.html

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