Chancellor Scholz: “Can’t subsidize all prices down”

Chancellor Scholz has made it clear that the federal government can only take limited action against rising energy prices. At the same time, work is being done to prevent a gas shortage in Germany.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised companies and citizens help in the gas crisis, but brakes against expectations that are too high. “We will not be able to subsidize all prices,” said Scholz on ZDF. “No country in the world can do that.”

The government will also not be able to promise that it will be possible to stop the rise in gas and oil prices on the world market. But the federal government is examining, for example, in the so-called concerted action with trade unions and employers, how one can and must help in view of the high energy prices, said Scholz.

Scholz: Finances not overwhelmed

For many companies and private customers, the high gas prices have not yet had an impact, but this will happen with a time lag. The government is working flat out to prevent a gas shortage in Germany. Preparations are also being made in the event that this situation arises, said the Chancellor. However, it would be irresponsible to get involved in something that you are currently trying to avert, said Scholz.

He also contradicted the impression that the crisis was overwhelming Germany’s finances. “The state bankruptcy is really not imminent,” emphasized Scholz. On the contrary, Germany will return to its old level of debt “in a relatively short time” if everything continues as normal.

The German economy has the potential to reduce debt. Compared to many other countries, Germany will come out of the crisis relatively well.