In principle, all gas users in Germany should pay the levy, regardless of whether their supplier obtains gas from Russia at all or not. If you do not heat or cook with gas, on the other hand, you do not have to contribute to the costs. "The legislator is not consistent here," says Riedel. "With the gas users, everyone is equal, but solidarity then breaks off." This can be considered unfair, because only about half of the German population co-finances the state task of gas supply. On the other hand, only those who get gas can save it, is the argument of the Minister of Economic Affairs. After all, this is another hoped-for effect of the gas levy - in addition to saving crisis-ridden energy importers such as Uniper. On the other hand, it can also be viewed critically that no distinctions are made among gas users, Riedel continues. For example, the West of Germany, which rather does not obtain its gas from Russia, should now pay for the dependence problem of the East.