According to a newspaper article, the German government wants to ban electricity and gas suppliers in general from raising prices for 2023. This is what emerges from the bill on the price brake passed by the Council of Ministers, reports today the “Bild ”.
Hundreds of increases already decided at the turn of the year are therefore illegal. In the event of a dispute, the supplier would have to prove to the Federal Cartel Office that stock prices justify the increase, the newspaper reported, citing a spokeswoman for the German Economy Ministry.
Huge surcharges expected
As long as the supplier cannot do this, the increase remains prohibited. The background is the request for compensation that arises for the suppliers of brake gas on energy prices decided by the government against the state, according to circles of the traffic light coalition of SPD (Social Democrats), FDP (liberals) and Greens.
Referring to data from the consumer portal Check24, “Bild” reports that from 1 January there will be massive price increases: 457 gas suppliers expect an average increase of 56 percent, which would affect 3.6 million households. 636 electricity suppliers have planned increases of an average of 60% for 7.5 million households.
Consumer advocates: Withhold payment
“Consumers can withhold payment of the hike,” the head of the Energy Consumers’ Federation, Leonora Holling, told the newspaper. The planned increases are not proportional to the price performance on the stock exchange. “We advise consumers to file an objection.”
