The Bundestag has passed the energy price brakes. This is intended to cushion the consequences of the sharp rise in prices for consumers and companies. The price brakes still have to pass the Federal Council on Friday.

For private households and small and medium-sized companies, the price brakes are to apply from March, with retrospective relief planned for January and February. For large industrial consumers, the gas price brake should take effect from January.

Greens leader Ricarda Lang said Russian President Vladimir Putin used energy as a weapon to break solidarity with Ukraine and divide society. That won't work. "We don't leave anyone alone in this crisis."

SPD faction deputy Matthias Miersch said that politics gives security to large parts of the population and the economy. The traffic light will take a look at where adjustments may have to be made. On the other hand, the Left MP Klaus Ernst criticized that despite the price brakes, the gas price is still twice as high as before the crisis.