Rehlinger calls Merz's promised electricity tax cut an empty pledge

Anke Rehlinger, the Minister President of Saarland, accused Chancellor Friedrich Merz of making an empty promise by announcing a blanket electricity tax cut without a clear financing solution. She emphasized that the measure would only provide direct relief if the federal budget can accommodate it. Merz, speaking at a CSU party event, expressed optimism that the tax could be reduced, referencing the coalition pact that commits to lowering the rate to the European minimum.

To date, the tax reduction has been limited to the industrial sector and agriculture, leaving private consumers and other firms untouched. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil noted that projected higher tax revenues do not create additional fiscal space for further relief. Meanwhile, the Minister Presidents' Conference has pressed the federal government for a swift implementation of the tax cut and a timely proposal for a fuel price ceiling, suggesting it be funded by taxing large oil company profits.