Comment on the “tank discount”: The government is throwing billions out the window

Hope was high. The “tank discount” was intended to make life cheaper for drivers. Fuel prices should hopefully fall below the psychologically important mark of two euros. The oil companies promised to pass on the tax cut that has been in effect since October 1st in full. The economy also had hope - for lower inflation, a better mood among people to buy - all thanks to the "fuel discount".

But the reality is different. Although fuel prices have fallen, they are still high - in some cases well over two euros per liter. Although the tax cut will be passed on almost entirely for petrol, it will not be passed on for diesel. Positive effects on inflation rate and shopping mood - none.

With the fuel discount, the federal government is throwing 2.5 billion euros out the window. The fossil fuel lobby, which has been thwarting consistent climate protection for decades, benefits from the billions in taxes. And of course the oil countries also benefit, whose war is responsible for the high energy costs in this country.

There would have been other ideas

Economic experts, the opposition and even members of the government have warned against this. The money could have been used to do so much better things: targeted measures. For example, expanding e-car funding for people with little money, reducing the currently discussed electricity tax for everyone in order to increase the incentive for electricity-based, climate-friendly technologies or ensuring more buses and trains - especially in rural areas.

There are many other ideas about how the money could have been used to help Germany take a step forward. Away from oil, which is making people's lives more and more expensive, whether with or without a discount.

A calming pill before the elections

Instead, it was important to the federal government to quickly put a calming pill in the tanks of angry drivers before the elections in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin - in the hope that the election results would not be so bad for the governing parties.

What remains after a month of "fuel discount" is a lot of frustration - still at the gas station and among all those who want a sustainable, forward-looking policy. But what also remains is the hope that the federal government will learn from its mistakes this time.