Vice Chancellor and leader of the Greens Werner Kogler wants to tax the “excess profits” of companies in the energy market. Economic Affairs Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) thinks little about this: “Most economic research experts are skeptical about taxing ‘excess profits’.” Prices of imported energy sources earn much more, must contribute to the well-being of society as a whole.” However, he does not believe in demonizing companies across the board.
According to Kocher, there should be no prohibition on thinking in this case. “The European Commission has also advised Member States to explore various options in this direction,” said the minister.
Kocher urges an exchange with experts
However, there are very good reasons for his skepticism about “excess profit” taxation. “It therefore requires an exchange with economic research experts, whose assessment and assessment of any suggestions is very important to me,” Kocher says.
Reference to the association
He’s not thinking about demonizing companies across the board. “There are companies that already voluntarily take their social responsibility and make their contribution during the crisis.” For example, Verbund has announced the payment of a special dividend, so that so-called excess profits can flow back into the state budget and thus into the emergency measures of the federal government.
Sharp criticism of the federal government’s anti-inflation proposals comes again from the SPÖ. “The population is rightly fed up with the empty slogans of this government,” mutters deputy club boss Jörg Leichtfried.
SPÖ: “It’s just a plantation”
On May 5, Chancellor Karl Nehammer announced that the excess profits of crisis winners would be taxed and he had commissioned Treasury Secretary Magnus Brunner to come up with a model – but nothing has been done so far. “More than three months later, Vice-Chancellor Werner Kogler announces that he is having a model drawn up that he in turn wants to present to the ÖVP. It’s just a plantation for the population,” Leichtfried said on Twitter.
The red politician added: “If Kogler says taxes shouldn’t be retroactive, the energy companies will have their windfall profits – that is, billions of euros in extra profit – dry before a tax goes into effect.” The SPÖ has been demanding for months that these excess profits be skimmed, with the proceeds being used to fund measures to fight inflation and its consequences and to expand renewable energy.
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.
