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"Then you'll understand that it's better not to walk behind the Russian flag every Monday."

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) calls on the federal government to speed up the planned relief for citizens in Germany.

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"Then you'll understand that it's better not to walk behind the Russian flag every Monday."

Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) calls on the federal government to speed up the planned relief for citizens in Germany. “The federal government must act faster. It takes far too long for the coalition to agree on a path. There is a risk that some of the social actors will then be lost," says Ramelow in the WELT talk.

What is meant are, for example, the announced gas and electricity price brakes. "The federal government must now define and announce the caps," Ramelow demands, referring to the associated psychology. "If the appropriate communication of the aid does not reach the people on the ground, the Russian war propaganda will penetrate even more into society."

Above all, the traffic light coalition must keep an eye on the mood in East Germany. "It is my expectation of the federal government that the two caps for electricity and gas will come quickly, so that the energy suppliers can finally write their customers different letters than they did last time, when price increases were always announced. Then people will understand that they shouldn't run behind the Russian flag every Monday."

Ramelow, who will serve as President of the Federal Council until the end of the month, is referring to the regular protests in numerous regions in eastern Germany, including 43 cities in Thuringia alone. "Whether you want to call it a walk or a demonstration - it's a toxic mixture in any case," warns the Prime Minister and admits: "These Mondays really get to me." helps to heat up the mood. "We finally need clear announcements so that the uncertainty disappears and people can foresee what to expect."

Ramelow also criticizes energy suppliers. “VAT on gas has been reduced and the gas levy has been abolished. However, most citizens were only informed of the increases and not such relief. And that culminates in the rubbish that is being said at these Monday demos.” For example, a pensioner comes and reports an announcement that he will have to pay 600 euros for energy in the future, but only has a pension of 700 euros.

As a first step, the federal government is implementing the proposals of the expert commission. Now, emergency aid worth billions is being launched. Gas and heat customers are to be released from their advance payments in December.

Source: WORLD

"Of course there's a lot of outrage. I understand his concerns too. I would like to get in touch with the provider who wrote this letter. For me, the question arises as to what is written there and how the energy prices are calculated there.” Ramelow asks why it is not possible to oppose such suppliers. "That is also my expectation of the federal government."

But Ramelow also returns to his own front door – and distances himself from his party colleague Sahra Wagenknecht. It is very exhausting to constantly have to distance yourself from their statements. And he has already made that clear to the parliamentary group. "I made it very clear that there is no point in opening up Nord Stream 2 and continuing to loudly discuss it all the time."

Russia can also send all contractually agreed gas supplies through the Transgas and Yamal pipelines. "Neither Nord Stream 1 nor Nord Stream 2 would be needed. It's just nonsense, outrageous nonsense that is constantly being told and then even reinforced from within our own ranks. Unfortunately, that is not very helpful.”

Meanwhile, Ramelow does not want to follow the calls from other parties for more nuclear power. It's not even worth thinking about the nuclear issue any further. “We are talking about three nuclear power plants, some of which could not easily continue to operate beyond the end of the year. I just want to point out the leak in Isar 2," says the Prime Minister. In addition, it has not been clarified where the fuel rods for an extended service life are to come from. “The point is, nobody talks about how much uranium actually comes from Russia. I don't get enough of that in the discussion," criticizes Ramelow.

Ramelow doesn't think it's surprising that the AfD is pouncing on the topic of energy prices in this mixed situation. But the public should listen very carefully. Ramelow refers to a speech by Thuringian AfD politician Björn Höcke on German Unity Day in Gera. “It wasn’t about gas prices and electricity prices. It was about new masculinity and nationalism, about friendship with Russia and – in his words – actors who are alien to the area and who dictate to Germany what to do and what not to do.”

That then has to be translated into reality, Ramelow demands: Höcke says that the Americans are forcing the federal government to be loyal to Putin. And that Putin is actually the great friend. "The fact is that Mr. Höcke is shaping a new fascist movement," assesses Ramelow. Then they chant that they want to get the country back. “But nobody was deprived of the land. So I ask myself in which democracy the people who believe all this live.” But that's how it is in a democracy. It has to prove itself even in difficult times. "We are in the stress test of democracy."

"Everything on shares" is the daily stock exchange shot from the WELT business editorial team. Every morning from 5 a.m. with the financial journalists from WELT. For stock market experts and beginners. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Amazon Music and Deezer. Or directly via RSS feed.

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