Lindner referred to an already "enormous national financing deficit" in the coming year. Up to 200 billion euros are available for price controls and hardship aid.

According to the finance minister, the price brakes could dampen inflation. In the long term, however, Germany must reestablish its social prosperity. "We're just getting poorer collectively," said Lindner. "We must therefore strengthen our competitiveness so that our economy is able to pay higher wages by selling higher-quality products and services."