The fear of a gas price explosion is great. According to the Greens, it is all the more important that society does not allow itself to be divided. Everyone would have to pay a reasonable price.
In view of the growing pressure on gas prices, the Greens in the Bundestag are demanding that the richest in society also be asked to contribute. “The concerted action must send out the signal that the situation is damn serious and that we have to act,” said the deputy parliamentary group leader Andreas Audretsch on Sunday of the German Press Agency in Berlin.
«Putin uses fossil fuels as a weapon, drives up prices and wants to divide our society. Everyone must now ask themselves how they can make a contribution,” said Audretsch. “This is especially true for those who have a lot, for the richest. You will have to give something up in order to get something much bigger, social peace in our country and our free democracy.”
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 like Uniper 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.
Audretsch said: “Relief must focus on those who need it most.” So the standard rates in the basic security would have to increase. “People with small and middle incomes and pensions have to be sure that they will get through the winter safely,” said Audretsch.
It is necessary to address the causes and get away from Putin’s gas. To do this, massive investments in renewable energy are needed. “You can’t save yourself out of this crisis,” said Audretsch. “It’s now about finally solving blockages, because it’s about nothing less than the independence and future of our free democracy.”
