Thousands protest in Germany, demand solidarity for energy relief

BERLIN/DUSSELDORF, October 22 – Tens of thousands of protesters in six German cities gathered on Saturday to fight rising energy prices and the cost of living, as well as a faster transition away from fossil fuels. Demanded a fairer distribution of government funds.

Protesters marched in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hannover, Stuttgart, Dresden and Frankfurt am Main, chanting everything from curbing inflation to halting nuclear power to increasing energy price subsidies for the poor. I put up a placard.

About 24,000 people attended, according to one of the organizers, Greenpeace. Police said about 1,800 protesters had gathered in Berlin.

“We want to show the urgent need for financial relief for socially balanced citizens. People with low incomes need more support than people with wealth,” said Andrea Kochis. He is one of the unions that organizes the protests ver.di vice-president.

Germany’s parliament on Friday approved the government’s €200 billion ($195 billion) relief package aimed at protecting businesses and households from the impact of soaring energy prices.

The plan includes a lump-sum payment plan for households and small and medium-sized businesses, and a system to limit the charge from March.

It will also fund residential and industrial power price caps, starting in March for spot prices and retroactively starting in December for future prices, with additional funding coming from utility company profits.

Inflation in Germany was 10.9% in September, the highest level in more than a quarter century. This is due to rising energy costs.

Berlin protester Ulrich Franz said: “I think it should be distributed in a fairer way. There are billionaires who say they want to pay more taxes. Nothing is happening on that front.” said.

Reported by Leon Malherbe, written by Oliver Denzer, Victoria Waldersee

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