comment by
Bastian Brinkman
The modern welfare state works like an insurance company. Everyone pays in – and if the worst comes to the worst, you get money from the solidarity fund. The individual citizen does not have to bear the risk of going under completely financially if he becomes unemployed or ill. Or too old to work. But now a special case of damage has occurred: because Russia invaded the Ukraine, energy has become more expensive in Germany. This can threaten livelihoods. Some fear paying thousands of euros more a year if they don’t take cold showers and turn off the heating until mold starts to appear.