Folgen des Ukraine-Kriegs: Bund gab 50 Milliarden Euro für Folgen der Energiekrise aus

The German government has spent approximately 50.4 billion euros to alleviate the burden on energy crisis consumers and stabilize markets, according to a response from the Federal Finance Ministry to a question from Green budget policy expert Sebastian Schäfer, as reported by the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. The largest single item was the energy price brake, which amounted to 16.3 billion euros, decided in late 2022.

The federal government also provided 14.3 billion euros for the gas price brake. An additional 8.5 billion euros covered the emergency relief that saw the government once-offlier absorb gas subsidies in December 2022. The Federal Finance Ministry details 27 individual items, including more than six billion euros for the energy price voucher for pensioners.

However, tax relief due to the temporary reduction in the value-added tax on gas is not included. Green Bundestag member Sebastian Schäfer cautioned against new one-sided dependencies in energy supply. "We must never again fall into such unilateral and risky dependencies," Schäfer told the dpa. The import of oil and gas had been funneling billions into the war coffers of Russian President Vladimir Putin while simultaneously weakening Europe's security and political effectiveness.

Schäfer warned that the state must draw lessons and recognize risks early, reduce strategic dependencies, and strengthen resilience. A proactive budget policy must also consider the financial, economic, and security policy consequences of insufficient precaution, Schäfer demanded.