Energy crisis: Lindner advertises to countries for 200 billion pot

Finance Minister Christian Lindner has asked the federal states to approve the €200 billion special pot to curb gas and electricity prices.

Energy crisis: Lindner advertises to countries for 200 billion pot

Finance Minister Christian Lindner has asked the federal states to approve the €200 billion special pot to curb gas and electricity prices.

"In this way we are cushioning the heaviest burdens for consumers and companies," said the FDP politician to the German Press Agency before the decisive vote in the Bundesrat. The current exceptional situation requires extraordinary measures. "If this step were to fail because of the federal states, Germany's economic prospects would be at stake," he warned, adding: "I am sure that the federal states are aware of this responsibility."

The federal government wants to use loans of up to 200 billion euros to finance a gas and electricity price brake and help for companies. The debts are to be taken on outside of the normal federal budget via a so-called special fund. The Bundestag has already approved another exception to the debt brake enshrined in the Basic Law. However, the plans can only be implemented if the federal states in the Bundesrat agree on Friday. The main criticism is that the loans, which should last until 2024, are to be taken out of the federal budget.

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