RTL/ntv trend barometer
Majority wants tax cuts for gas and electricity
8/30/2022 3:33 p.m
Inflation is approaching the 8 percent mark in August, driven strongly by rising electricity, gas and fuel prices. A majority of people in Germany want relief by lowering taxes on gas and electricity.
The so-called tank discount introduced by the traffic light coalition in June expires at the end of August. In the RTL/ntv trend barometer, a large majority of 71 percent of Germans are in favor of lowering taxes on petrol and diesel after the end of the tank discount. 25 percent reject it. Such a reduction is supported by a majority in East and West and in all political camps – only supporters of the Greens are divided on this issue.
36 percent of Germans are of the opinion that due to the further increase in gas and electricity prices, the burden on citizens should be further subsidies that are paid out to individual citizens. A majority of 60 percent, on the other hand, is of the opinion that tax cuts for gas and electricity should provide general relief for citizens.
Just under a quarter supports the gas surcharge
Some companies, which in principle are entitled to the income from the gas levy planned by the government, apparently have no financial difficulties, but are making high profits in the energy crisis. A large majority of 87 percent of Germans believe that such companies should not receive payments from the gas surcharge. Only 8 percent think that these companies should also receive the income from the gas surcharge.
However, a large majority of 67 percent of Germans – across all political camps – are generally of the opinion that the planned gas levy should be withdrawn and that companies that have got into difficulties because of the lack of gas deliveries from Russia should be helped in some other way, for example by a direct involvement of the state. 23 percent of those surveyed see it differently.
The data was collected by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany on August 26 and 29, 2022. Database: 1011 respondents. Statistical error tolerance: +/- 3 percentage points.