Minister President Kretschmer calls for higher commuter allowance

In order to relieve the burden on car drivers, Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) has called for a higher commuter allowance. In recent years, politicians have paid a lot of attention to local public transport, said Kretschmer on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting in Zwickau. He mentioned the Deutschlandticket, for example. "People who are dependent on cars have nothing to gain from this."

However, for many people who live in rural areas, the car is an important part of the reality of life. Relief is therefore urgently needed here too. He also referred to the increase in the CO2 tax on fuels. However, when asked, Kretschmer did not give an exact figure on how much he believes the commuter allowance should increase.

The commuter allowance allows employees to claim travel costs between home and work against tax. It currently amounts to 30 cents per kilometer, 38 cents from the 21st kilometer. Other politicians such as SPD leader Lars Klingbeil and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's head of government Manuela Schwesig (both SPD) have also recently called for an increase.