Bundestag resolutions Higher tobacco tax and more protection for “coffee trips”

Status: 11.06.2021 8:26 a.m.

The Bundestag passed numerous laws into the night. Among other things, the redistribution of EU agricultural subsidies was decided and the rules for so-called coffee trips tightened. Smoking will become more expensive in the future. An overview. The plenary session began on Thursday morning – it was only ended on Friday morning at 0.59 a.m. by Parliament’s Vice-President Wolfgang Kubicki. The agenda in the Bundestag was tough. In the last few weeks before the summer break, the grand coalition is trying to get as many projects as possible through parliament. An overview of the most important resolutions of the night session.

Tobacco tax is rising – and also applies to liquids

Germany’s smokers are asked to pay more. The Bundestag decided that the tobacco tax for a pack of 20 cigarettes will rise by an average of ten cents in the coming year. A year later, a further ten cents will be added, in 2025 and 2026 another 15 cents per pack will be added. Vaping e-cigarettes and tobacco heaters is also taxed higher. So-called liquids for use in e-cigarettes are to be subject to tobacco tax in the future; up to now they have been subject to sales tax. An additional tax is to be introduced for heated tobacco, so that in future there will be a taxation similar to that of cigarettes.

More consumer protection with “coffee trips” and online marketplaces

The sale of insurance, home loan and savings contracts, medical products and dietary supplements on so-called coffee trips will be prohibited in the future. In addition, the participants of such trips must be better informed about their rights by the organizer. The fine for violations will be increased from 1,000 euros to 10,000 euros. The new law also provides for a regulation according to which consumers may not be asked to pay before the end of the day on which the contract is signed for contracts that have come about as part of an unsolicited visit to the home. In the future, online marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay will have to disclose the essential criteria for their rankings of search results. They must also inform consumers whether the potential contracting parties are entrepreneurs or private individuals. Rankings in search results must not be influenced by hidden advertising or hidden payments. The platforms must also explain how they ensure the authenticity of user reviews. Fake reviews are expressly prohibited in the future. Advertising in online networks should be more recognizable in the future – this applies to influencers, for example. Labeling is not necessary if the advertiser has not received any money or similar consideration from a company.

Protection of package tours

Consumer protection is also being strengthened for package tours: a multi-million dollar fund will in future protect package travelers from possible damage in the event of bankruptcies. Tour operators are to pay 750 million euros into the fund. The fund is also intended to prevent the state from having to step in when tour operators go bankrupt. The new fund is to guarantee prepayments by customers, the repatriation of stranded holidaymakers and their accommodation until they are returned. It basically replaces the previous protection through insurance or bank guarantees. The background to this is the bankruptcy of the travel company Thomas Cook in September 2019.

Fight against tax havens and money laundering

Capital flight to so-called tax havens is expected to become less attractive in the future. If the Federal Council also approves the new regulation, operating and advertising costs for cross-border transactions can only be claimed for tax purposes if the respective states adhere to international tax standards. In addition, regulations on withholding tax, which are incurred on investment income abroad, are being tightened. The basis is a “black list” of the EU, in which “non-cooperative countries and areas” are listed, which from Brussels’ point of view facilitate tax evasion or unfair tax competition. There are twelve countries such as Panama, Fiji and the Seychelles. However, this list is controversial – mainly because it does not contain any tax havens within the EU. In order to combat money laundering and terrorist financing more effectively, the German transparency register will also be expanded and better linked internationally. Additional reporting obligations for the economy should make it easier to track down letterbox companies and to identify the people behind nested company structures. At the same time, this is intended to protect reputable companies from coming into contact with questionable business partners and criminal machinations. In addition, the investigators in Germany should work more closely with the authorities in other EU countries.

Compensation for phasing out nuclear power

The Bundestag also gave the green light for the compensation of energy companies for the accelerated nuclear phase-out. The adopted amendment to the Atomic Energy Act empowers the responsible federal ministries to conclude a public law contract “on the payment of financial compensation” which ends “all national and international legal disputes”. In March, after years of dispute with the energy companies RWE, Vattenfall, EnBW and E.on, the federal government reached an agreement on compensation: Germany pays the companies compensation totaling a good 2.4 billion euros. This compensates for residual amounts of electricity that the companies can no longer generate in their own plants, as well as investments that the companies made in reliance on the nuclear power plant life extension that came into force in 2010.

Distribution of EU agricultural subsidies approved

The Bundestag also approved the federal government’s legislative package for the distribution of EU grants for German farmers. In the coming years, this will increasingly be based on criteria such as environmental protection and animal welfare. From 2023, a quarter of Brussels direct payments will be linked to certain ecological requirements. For example, there is additional money for not using pesticides or for more nature conservation in meadows and pastures. In total, it is about six billion euros that Germany’s farmers will receive annually from the EU until 2027. So far, the distribution of such funds has largely been based on the area of ​​the farms – regardless of the impact on the environment and landscape. With the reform, small and medium-sized businesses are to receive significantly more support. Young farmers up to the age of 40 also receive more money. In addition, there will in future be a premium for grazing animal owners who have so far benefited little from the area premium. The Federal Cabinet had already adopted the new requirements for the national structure of the Common European Agricultural Policy (GAP) in April. At EU level, however, there is still a struggle about how the reform of the EU agricultural policy should be designed. The aim is to reach an agreement by the end of June. The legislative package that has now been passed, which is aimed at a Agricultural Ministers’ Conference Compromise goes back, then changed again. Previously, the Bundestag had, among other things the powers of the protection of the constitution expanded . In the course of the day, the parliament wants to pass a number of other laws of the grand coalition – for example on care reform and on Compliance with human rights in global supply chains .

Overview of the 15th session, the provincial People’s Council term 2016-2021. Attending the conference were the comrades: Trinh Van Chien, former member of the Party Central Committee, former Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, former Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council; Lai The Nguyen, Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Do Minh Tuan, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Nguyen Dinh Xung, former Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, former Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee; Trinh Tuan Sinh, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Members of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee; members of the Provincial People’s Council for the 2016-2021 term; leaders of districts, towns and cities. The delegates performed the flag-raising ceremony. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of Provincial People’s Council Do Trong Hung emphasized: Since the 14th session, under the leadership of the Provincial Party Committee, the People’s Council, the Provincial People’s Committee has focused on consolidating the organization. The apparatus, urgently implemented drastically and synchronously the Resolution No. 330 / NQ-HDND, dated December 6, 2020 of the Provincial People’s Council on the directions and tasks in 2021, determined to successfully implement the objectives and tasks. crop year 2021 right from the first days, the first month of the year. Comrade Do Trong Hung, Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, Head of the Youth Union delegation of Thanh Hoa province gave the opening speech at the 15th session, the provincial People’s Council term 2016-2021. In the first quarter of 2021, Thanh Hoa province achieved many positive results. Notably, it continued to successfully implement “dual goals”, both actively and drastically preventing epidemics and overcoming difficulties to promote production and business. Accordingly, the economy has grown well, some indicators have increased significantly over the same period. The growth rate of gross product (GRDP) reached 7.11%, lower than the same period last year, but higher than GDP growth of the whole country. Agricultural production continued to develop. Industrial production maintained a fairly good growth rate. Service industries have gradually recovered and developed. In the context of many difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the province soon re-activated tourism activities in the area. Investment promotion activities were promoted; Public investment implementation and disbursement progress was faster than the same period last year and was among the top 10 provinces and cities with the highest disbursement rate in the country. The culture – society has many progressive changes; organized for the people to celebrate spring, welcome the Tan Suu Lunar New Year. National defense – security, social order and safety are guaranteed. Party building work and the political system have been strengthened. The preparation for the election of the XV National Assembly and deputies to the People’s Councils at all levels, for the term 2021-2026 was implemented early, carried out methodically and in accordance with the law. Comrade Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council stated: The 15th session of the Provincial People’s Council, term XVII, had many very important contents. Therefore, delegates of the Provincial People’s Council, delegates attending the meeting should raise their spirit, responsibility, promote their intelligence, focus on careful study of documents, discuss democratically, frankly, actively contribute. There are many quality opinions that make an important contribution to a successful meeting. Mr. Le Duc Thuan, Chief of the Office of the Provincial People’s Council presented a report on the establishment of the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and the Provincial People’s Council on the basis of merging the Office of the National Assembly Delegation and the Office of the Provincial People’s Council. At the conference, delegates of the provincial People’s Council listened, considered and resolved in the Report of the Standing Committee of the Provincial People’s Council on the establishment of the Office of the National Assembly delegation and the provincial People’s Council on the basis of merging the Office of the National Delegation. Association and Provincial People’s Council Office. Comrade Le Minh Nghia, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of Department of Planning and Investment presented investment related reports. Review and decide on 20 reports of the Provincial People’s Committee, including: 4 related papers on mechanisms and policies to support the development of raw green thorn, in the period of 2021-2023; policies to socialize preschool education until 2033; Regulations on some levels of spending for the election of deputies to the XVth National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the term 2021 – 2026; the percentage of budget revenue sources at all levels for 10 newly established wards in Thanh Hoa city; 5 papers on investment plans and capital allocation, notably resolutions on the first proposed medium-term public investment plan from the State budget for the period 2021 – 2025 managed by the province; assigning detailed plans of reciprocal capital from investment capital sources in the provincial budget balance in 2021, arranged for projects using ODA capital (phase 2); adjusting and supplementing plans for public investment capital in 2020 are allowed to extend implementation and disbursement time to 2021 of projects using provincial budget capital; 7 reports on investment policy in projects, such as: Van Thien Street to Ben En, Khe Chon Bridge and Bridge Roads, Thanh Quan Commune, Nhu Xuan District and electrical infrastructure projects, historical works. chemistry, school, office. Mr. Pham Tien Dung, Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment presented the papers on the field of land and mineral resources. The delegates of the Provincial People’s Council also considered other important issues such as: Adjustment of investment policy for group C projects which were decided on investment policy by the Provincial People’s Committee in accordance with the 2014 Law on Public Investment; the list of investment and lending sectors of Thanh Hoa Investment and Development Fund for the period 2021 – 2025; list of works and projects subject to land acquisition, change of land use purpose for rice cultivation, protective forest land and decision on policy of changing forest use purpose by 2021; approving the project to adjust and supplement the approved mineral exploration and exploitation plannings before January 1, 2016 (the second supplementation). Comrade Lai The Nguyen, Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Economic – Budget Department of the Provincial People’s Council presented the reports on verification of the submission and draft resolutions. At the meeting, delegates also listened to the Department of Economy – Budget, Legal Department, Department of Culture – Social Affairs of the Provincial People’s Council reporting verification of the submission and draft resolutions. Thanh Hoa e-newspaper will continue to update …

With the motto “Each mission focuses on one resolution”, Nghia Hanh District Party Committee issued 5 thematic resolutions to concretize the Resolution of the Twentieth District Party Congress, term 2020 – 2025, including : “Improving the quality of new rural districts (NTMs) and 5 communes meeting the advanced NTM standards, in the period 2021 – 2025”; “Building and developing human resources, focusing on key cadres of districts, communes and towns”; “Development of culture and people in Nghia Hanh district”; “Building infrastructure, improving the quality of the urban chain of Cho Chua, Hanh Thuan and Hanh Minh towns”; “Regarding the development of industry, services and tourism in the district”. All resolutions follow the practice and development orientation of the district.

Rural appearance in Nghia Thang commune (Tu Nghia) is increasingly prosperous.

Secretary of the District Party Committee Nghia Hanh Nguyen Tien Dung said: Among 5 thematic resolutions, the focus is on the Resolution on “Improving the quality of NTMs and 5 communes meeting advanced NTM standards, in the period of 2021-2025”, that is Hanh Tin Dong, Hanh Thinh, Hanh Thien, Hanh Minh and Hanh Phuoc communes. The promulgation of this resolution is to implement the objective of the district Party Committee to strive that by 2030, Nghia Hanh district will reach the advanced NTM district.

Along with that is to realize the goal of building Nghia Hanh rural area with synchronous socio-economic infrastructure development, with a reasonable economic structure; forms of production organization are renewed and become a driving force for rural economic development … Therefore, this term the district strives to build at least 50% of communes meeting NTM criteria as prescribed. On the other hand, this resolution is consistent with the orientation set by the XIII Congress of the Party which is to continue to build advanced NTMs and NTMs, aiming to improve people’s lives.

The Provincial Party Committee of Agencies and Enterprises has also determined that in 2021, focus on promoting propaganda, thoroughly grasping effectively implementing the resolutions of the party congress at all levels; actively accompany businesses, build the development orientation of the business in line with the new situation.

Nguyen Xuan Nam’s Standing Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Bloc Agencies and Enterprises, said: The Bloc Party Committee has 139 branches, the grassroots Party Committee belongs to. To promote the role of a bridge with businesses and between businesses and the party committees and authorities at all levels; encouraging enterprises to innovate their technologies, promote innovations and technical improvements in management, production and business activities, the Party Committee of the Bloc Building the Topical Resolution “On strengthening the leadership of the Party for production and business duties; promote the role of the party committee in accompanying with businesses, supporting business development ”. Thereby, further promoting the role and responsibility of the grassroots party committee in leading the implementation of the tasks of the grassroots party organization, overcoming the limitations, improving the leadership capacity and fighting strength of the organization. Party base and party members in the business.

Along with the development and promulgation of resolutions, programs, schemes, party committees, and party organizations at all levels, they focused on directing the comprehensive implementation of tasks right after the congress. Secretary of the District Party Committee Tu Nghia Nguyen Phuc Nhan said: The district has consolidated the contingent of cadres of the district, communes and towns; to focus on directing the implementation of the congress’s resolutions, tightening administrative discipline and discipline, thoroughly overcoming the thought of “taking a breather” after the congress. At the same time, establishing the working groups of the district to supervise and orient the communes and towns in the construction, promulgating the system of documents to concretize the resolutions of the congress.

The concretization of the resolutions of the party congresses at all levels from the promulgation of thematic resolutions; the development of programs, schemes and plans to closely follow the key tasks of the whole term has shown the determination of the units and localities to successfully implement the resolutions of the party congresses at all levels.