After a meeting with state premier and ministers from keystates with Social Democratic (SPD) governments or participation –North-Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg – Gabrielsaid he would bring their proposals into talks within the government, andwith the European Commission.

Gabriel himself is the SPD’s leader and the highest-rankinggovernment minister of his party, as well as vice-chancellor.

Fearing a further disadvantage from high energy prices forGermany’s industry, the states want to exempt already existing plants producingpower for self-consumption completely from the payment of the renewablessurcharge (EEG surcharge).