Overview

• Federal government reverses its coalition pledge and will cut electricity tax only for manufacturing and agriculture firms.
• Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein demands a clear timetable for extending relief to all consumers by 2027 and proposes funding the cuts through reduced social spending.
• Industry bodies Handelsverband Deutschland and Groß- und Außenhandelsverband (BGA) accuse the coalition of breaking its promise and warn of diminishing credibility.
• Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil emphasizes that all tax relief measures remain under financing reservations and that resources for households and SMEs are lacking.
• CSU leader Markus Söder calls the targeted cut a first step and outlines plans for universal electricity tax relief by 2027.