It is intended to be a plea for rapid change in SPD policy. In fact, it is a brutal declaration of bankruptcy by social democracy. “We have repeatedly promised ourselves that we will do something for the workers,” explains SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf and adds: “We tell it, but it doesn’t come across in practical politics because we don’t do enough.”

A visible sign of the failure of the SPD policy is, for example, the fact that food, gas and rent have recently become more and more expensive. Even with regard to income tax, the Social Democrats have not provided any relief for the workers.

Basically, there is a great “disorientation” not only in the SPD, but overall, says the SPD member of the Bundestag in the dark green jacket of hope in “Hard but fair”. From Klüssendorf’s perspective, a central question is: “What are we working towards?”

An SPD without economic expertise

“What are we working towards?” is a good question. Especially for the SPD. After another debacle – this time in Rhineland-Palatinate – the social democracy is in the breaking point. Surveys show that the issue of the economy was an absolute priority in the state elections. However, voters in Rhineland-Palatinate do not attribute any competence to the SPD in this area.

Here too, Tim Klüssendorf analyzes ruthlessly: “The election defeat is also due to the fact that the voters no longer believe in our economic competence. We have received the receipt.” When it comes to fuel, Tim Klüssendorf, who sits on the corresponding fuel task force that is supposed to take measures to combat the price explosion, is now putting his foot down, at least verbally. “Prices must fall now. Next Thursday’s meeting should be the last.” You finally have to act.

“Those who have economic power can do whatever they want in Germany”

The MPs have been sitting together for three weeks now and are talking in the task force about the excessively high fuel prices in Germany. Recently, during a discussion between politicians and the oil companies, it emerged that the fuel giants – especially in comparison with other European countries – cannot plausibly explain the exorbitant price increase in Germany.

This means that corporations are profiting uninhibitedly from the crisis and are also artificially raising prices. Klüssendorf says the task force “looked at it for three weeks and hoped that the situation would ease.” His conclusion: “In the end, we are too believers in the market and have not understood that this market does not work.” And further: “Whoever has the economic power can do whatever they want in Germany.” But then why doesn’t anything happen?

Failures from 2022

As a reminder: The Russian attack on Ukraine in February 2022 already drove up crude oil prices and thus fuel prices. On an annual average, Super E10 cost around 186.0 cents and diesel 194.6 cents.

At times, the prices at many gas stations already significantly exceeded the two euros per liter mark. Due to the extreme burden on consumers, the federal government introduced a “tank discount”, i.e. a reduction in energy tax, for a limited period from June to August 2022. This reduction actually resulted in cheaper gas at the pump. Politicians patted themselves on the back at the time. However, this did not solve the main problem of possible concert price agreements. Four years later, a hefty bill is presented again for this omission.

Steering tax currently makes no sense

The fact is that the state earns a lot from the CO2 tax. However, this tax, which is intended as a control option, currently makes no sense given these horrendous fuel prices: wealthy people continue to drive without braking even at prices of 2.50 euros per liter and poorer classes leave their cars behind anyway if they don’t absolutely need it because the money would otherwise be spent earlier in the month. This has long been controlled by the increase in the price of international crude oil. There is no need for any additional action from the German state.

How credible is the SPD’s declaration of war?

At the same time, the sleeping tiger called the Cartel Office must wake up. “The cartel office is a collection of tame rabbits,” says Dennis Radtke (CDU) in “Hard but Fair”. As a member of the EU Parliament, he sees that “only the German bar is going through the roof” when it comes to gasoline prices across Europe. “You can’t explain that to anyone,” says the CDU man.

SPD colleague Klüssendorf follows this up with a declaration of war: “We have been too timid in the last few weeks. I find us gullible and naive.” It cannot be the case that corporations make billions in profits on the backs of the people. Klüssendorf almost sounds as if you could believe his fresh drive. But it is more likely that it is the SPD’s almost traditional reflex after electoral defeats. Motto: We have understood and are now taking more care of the workers again.