Manuela Schwesig Slams High German Electricity Prices, Calls for Swift Action
Schwesig advocates for an immediate decrease in electricity costs. - Urges Immediate Decrease in Electricity Rates, Advocates for Quick Financial Reduction in Energy Costs
Looking ahead to the gathering of state leaders with Federal Chancellor Fritz Merz (CDU), Manuela Schwesig, the leader of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, is pressing for clarity on the funding of the billions-euro economic aid packages. Schwesig, an SPD politician, insists that the economy needs to be stimulated urgently, and it's great that the federal government has launched the so-called growth booster. "The common stance of the states is that this package should not disproportionately burden the states and municipalities," she stressed. As a result, she expects progress on this matter at the forthcoming confab.
Initially, the government plans to boost tax depreciation options for companies making investments and progressively lower the corporate tax rate. However, this move would disproportionately impact municipalities, which has drawn criticism.
All in all, the legislation would cost the federal government, states, and municipalities a whopping 50 billion euros in tax revenue. The federal government intends to foot one-third of the bill, with the states and municipalities covering the remaining two-thirds, Schwesig explained in the federal council in Berlin last week: “That’s an unfair division.”
Schwesig Championing Affordable Energy for Germany
Schwesig emphasizes the importance of a stable energy supply and affordable electricity prices for both households and industry in Germany. "We need an energy plan for Germany," she demanded. The federal government should first lay out concrete numbers regarding required energy quantities and ponder how future demand can be met by renewables. "It's crucial that renewables are affordable," she said.
Citizens and the economy are in dire need of respite from skyrocketing electricity prices. Governmental initiatives like reducing network charges, levies, and electricity tax are moves in the right direction but need to be enacted without further ado.
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Long-term Plan to Lower Energy Prices
Schwesig revealed a proposal from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern aimed at reducing energy costs while ensuring high supply security. "The execution of the energy transition should be sustainable and balanced in terms of climate protection, supply security, and economic efficiency," it asserts. The introduction of an industrial electricity price is supported, with reducing energy expenditures essential to boost the international competitiveness of the German location.
Ensuring price reductions and maintaining supply security are the crux of the proposal. By the next regular summit in early December, the federal government should present a dependable long-term strategy for the climate-neutral transformation of Germany's energy sector, "one that aligns with the criteria of supply security and affordability." Moving away from fossil energy sources like coal, gas, and oil is stated as a medium to long-term objective.
- Manuela Schwesig
- Electricity price
- Germany
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
- Federal government
- Fritz Merz
- CDU
In the broader context, Manuela Schwesig, as Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has been a proponent of measures to alleviate high electricity prices in Germany, taking into account the energy transition pressures and geopolitical factors influencing prices. Typical proposals from regional leaders like Schwesig often center on expanding renewable energy, improving grid infrastructure, and possibly temporary financial relief mechanisms for consumers.
The federal government, led by a conservative coalition as of 2025, while considering various approaches to energy affordability, has remained focused on accelerating renewables, ensuring energy supply security, and maintaining diversified energy imports after Germany's nuclear phase-out in 2023. Although discussion about revisiting nuclear energy has ensued, the government's stance remains cautious due to technical and political challenges.
- Manuela Schwesig, in her role as Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has advocated for measures to address skyrocketing electricity prices in Germany, taking into account the pressures of the energy transition and geopolitical factors.
- Schwesig has emphasized the need for an energy plan in Germany that would provide a stable energy supply and affordable electricity prices for both households and industry. She has called for the federal government to lay out concrete numbers regarding energy quantities and consider how future demand can be met by renewables.
- The federal government, under the conservatve coalition as of 2025, is focused on accelerating renewables, ensuring energy supply security, and maintaining diversified energy imports after Germany's nuclear phase-out in 2023. Despite discussions about revisiting nuclear energy, the government's stance remains cautious due to technical and political challenges.
