The party dispute of the ÖVP over a possible energy price ceiling continues to divide the party: now also the state leader of Salzburg, Wilfried Haslauer. In the meantime, the Minister of Finance is also prepared to talk.
The price ceiling on the energy cost pot is hot. The ÖVP could burn his fingers on internal discrepancies. On Monday, the head of state of Salzburg, Wilfried Haslauer, followed up in the “Krone”: “We need a European solution. At the national level, a temporary limit, halving or suspension of VAT on electricity would be relatively unbureaucratic and could be implemented quickly. Special measures are needed in special times.”
Brunner warns of dangers
Treasury Secretary Magnus Brunner: “We are discussing and exploring every option in exchange with economic researchers.” In the current situation, a national price cap poses dangers. That’s how Gabriel Felbermayr, head of WIFO, sees it too.
He favors an EU-wide approach, so that you get better prices from alternative providers such as the US or Qatar. In the end, the citizens would otherwise pay more if you had to rescue companies. “Otherwise the problem would only be delayed.”
Release of oil reserves, worries about gas supplies
SPÖ boss Pamela Rendi Wagner: “Electricity price ceiling now.” Her club vice Jörg Leichtfried also wants to start with prizes. Burgenland’s head of state Hans Peter Doskozil is also in favor of temporary limits, including for fuel: “We must prevent society from drifting apart.” Viennese mayor Ludwig speaks of “unbearable” inflation and wants a summit.
The main committee met on Monday. Subject: release of oil reserves. “So that the supply of Austria remains safe,” says climate minister Leonore Gewessler.
Putin opens the gas tap again
This concerns approximately 100,000 tons of diesel and 45,000 tons of semi-finished products for the production of end products. This is also to compensate for the incident at the OMV refinery on 3rd June – repair and maintenance work is currently underway. Talk about maintenance. Nord Stream 1, located in Zug (Switzerland), controlled by Gazprom, has been shut down for routine maintenance since Monday. Duration until July 21. Terrifying question: Will Putin open the tap again or leave it off?
The second variant would be a major blow for Austria, given its dependence on Russian raw materials. It is all the more important to finally have alternative strategies. Spoken to WIFO boss Felbermayr: “Too much time has already been wasted.”
Source: Krone
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