Politics · Germany · 19 hrs ago
Union leaders urge Merz to cut electricity tax for all
Union leaders want Chancellor Friedrich Merz to cut Germany’s electricity tax for everyone, not only selected industries.
They made the demand after meeting Merz at the Chancellery on Sunday evening.
They say a cut to the EU minimum would ease costs for families, tradespeople, retailers and medium-sized businesses.
The leaders also want changes to pensions, health care and long-term care, including limits on spending for the “pension at 63” scheme and legally required funded retirement saving.
They called for more help for family caregivers and for the federal government to cover costs that are not part of insurance, including pandemic costs.
They also want simpler benefits and less paperwork, and say reforms should come quickly; no decision on the tax cut or other proposals was reported.
Union parliamentary group leaders urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to cut electricity tax for all consumers, not only selected industries.
They said the tax should fall to the European minimum to ease costs for families, tradespeople and businesses.
The call followed a meeting with Merz at the Chancellery on Sunday evening.
The Union leaders also called for reforms to social security, including pensions, health care and long-term care.
- Who
- Union parliamentary group leaders, including Sebastian Lechner and Klaus Holetschek.
- What
- They urged Merz to lower electricity tax for all consumers to the European minimum.
- When
- Sunday evening; the article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- At the Chancellery in Berlin.
- Why
- They said a tax cut would ease costs for families, tradespeople and businesses and help keep electricity affordable.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Union parliamentary group leaders met Merz at the Chancellery and set out their expectations for upcoming reforms.
The Union leaders called for an electricity tax cut for all consumers and further social reforms.
- Requested tax level
- European minimum
- Meeting place
- Chancellery, Berlin
- Named Union leader
- Sebastian Lechner, CDU
- Other reforms sought
- Changes involving pensions, health care and long-term care
What people are saying
The electricity tax must now fall to the European minimum for everyone—not just individual industries. That would provide noticeable relief for families, tradespeople, retailers and small and medium-sized businesses.
People and businesses are not waiting for the next reform summit, but for tangible results. An electricity tax cut for everyone, fewer reporting requirements and social reforms must come quickly.