If Russia stops supplying gas, prices are expected to explode. The federal government has already put together a number of packages to cushion the situation. But not everyone benefits in the same way.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out in favor of further relief for low earners in view of the high gas prices. “We haven’t experienced that before, four times higher prices, not only at the gas stations, but above all for the gas that is needed to run the heating at home,” said Steinmeier in the ZDF summer interview broadcast on Sunday. “The same applies to industry.”
Steinmeier went on to say that the packages that have been available so far have been good and necessary. “But you will (…) have to think about instruments, how to make life easier for those on low wages in particular.” Not everyone benefits in the same way from the relief packages. In this respect, they could only be a kind of intermediate status.
Many urgently need help
He is confident that the federal government will “continue to take care of it”. She must ensure “that those who are at the bottom of the social scale and urgently need help are not lost sight of, but that they are helped to pay for their apartment and heating”.
Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) had warned of a possible “price explosion” at some municipal utilities at a “Zeit” event on Saturday evening. According to Habeck, this can happen if Russia no longer supplies gas via the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline and the federal government allows large suppliers to pass on the prices to their customers, such as municipal utilities.
Against the background of the escalating gas crisis, leading representatives of the social partners, the Bundesbank and scientists will meet with the government starting this Monday to discuss inflation. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) initiated such a dialogue process as a concerted action.
Source: Stern
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
