Germans are annoyed by the traffic light decisions
Three quarters of Germans think that the Ampel should have found a solution for the 2024 budget that would not lead to rising energy prices. Almost as many are generally annoyed by the higher costs.
A large majority of Germans are annoyed by the results of the all-night consultations between the three traffic light leaders on the 2024 federal budget, according to a survey conducted by the opinion research institute Forsa for the RTL/ntv trend barometer.
67% answered yes to the question of whether they were annoyed by the agreement between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner to close the existing budget gap essentially by increasing the burden on citizens. 28% expressed understanding for the approach, which is now increasingly being questioned even within the coalition's own ranks.
The majority of SPD (53% to 45%) and FDP (51% to 49%) supporters are also annoyed by the agreement. Only among supporters of the Greens does understanding (58%) outweigh anger (36%). 77% of CDU/CSU supporters say that they are annoyed by the move to close the budget gap by imposing higher burdens on citizens, while 94% of AfD supporters say the same.
Majority also rejects higher energy prices
Another consequence of the agreement on a federal budget for next year is that the cost of petrol, heating oil, gas and electricity will rise for citizens because the price of CO2 certificates will increase. Only 22 percent of Germans think this is justifiable. In contrast, 75 percent believe that the German government should have made up the billions missing from the budget through savings that do not place such a heavy burden on citizens.
This assessment is shared by a large majority in East and West, in all income brackets and among supporters of almost all parties. Only among supporters of the Greens does a majority consider the rising energy costs to be justifiable for citizens.
The data was collected by the market and opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of RTL Germany. The survey on anger about the budget agreement was conducted on December 15 and 18. Data basis: 1000 respondents. Statistical margin of error: plus/minus 3 percentage points. The survey on higher energy costs was conducted on December 14 and 15. Data basis: 1009 respondents. Statistical margin of error: plus/minus 3percentage points.further information on Forsa here.Forsa surveys on behalf of RTL Germany.
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The agreement between Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Economics Minister Robert Habeck, and Finance Minister Christian Lindner, leaders of the Traffic light coalition, to close the 2024 budget gap by increasing the burden on citizens has been met with widespread annoyance, according to surveys conducted by Forsa for the RTL/ntv trend barometer. This negative sentiment is shared by a majority of supporters of all major parties, except among Greens supporters who express understanding for the rising energy costs.
The RTL/ntv trend barometer survey also found that only 22% of Germans consider the increase in energy prices due to the agreement as justifiable, while 75% believe the German government should have made budget savings without placing such a heavy burden on citizens.
These surveys show that the Christian Lindner-led Finance Ministry's approach to budgeting and energy pricing is a topic of concern for a significant portion of the German public.
Source: www.ntv.de
