SPÖ leader Pamela Rendi-Wagner has criticized the European Commission’s proposals against rising energy prices. “They don’t go far enough because they don’t represent a system change, which affects the trade in energy on the one hand, but also the purchase of gas on the other.” Rendi-Wagner therefore advocates a joint, European-wide, public tender for gas with clear price regulation. If there is no EU-wide implementation, a national solution would be needed.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a bill in the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Wednesday against high energy prices, which would affect both renewable electricity producers and gas and oil companies.
Von der Leyen proposes excess profit tax for energy companies
In order to relieve consumers, excessive profits of EU energy companies will be skimmed off and redistributed in the future. “Our proposal will provide Member States with more than EUR 140 billion to immediately respond to the emergency,” said von der Leyen.
Rendi-Wagner: “Proposals don’t tackle problems at the root”
According to Rendi-Wagner, these proposals would not solve current problems in the long term, nor would they get to the root of the problem. “A system change is needed. If this systemic change doesn’t go through, it will just continue to cause speculation in energy at the European level and attendant price explosions and excess profits in the billions.”
The liberalization of the electricity market twenty years ago was a serious mistake. “The result was absurd and unprecedented price increases of more than 1000 percent, which everyone ultimately has to pay for – the people, the economy and industry.”
Exploding energy prices: concerns about Europe as a business location
If gas and electricity prices continue to rise, Europe as a location is at risk. This, in turn, would further fuel inflation. “We must not allow that,” emphasized Rendi-Wagner. The European energy market no longer works and needs to be regulated. “And in such a way that there is reasonable pricing.”
Rendi-Wagner sees a need for EU heads of state and government
According to Rendi-Wagner, a European public tender for gas with clear price regulation would reduce gas and electricity prices. All heads of state and government within the EU are called upon to make and implement such a decision. If there is no agreement at European level in the coming weeks, an Austrian solution will be needed in the form of state purchases of gas and clear price regulation leading to low prices.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
