The German Association of Cities is demanding a "big solution" from the governing coalition for relief. "The traffic light must not get bogged down in small things," said President Markus Lewe (CDU) of the dpa with a view to the coalition committee of the SPD, Greens and FDP this Saturday.

"Many people are concerned that they will no longer be able to pay their energy bills and the rising prices. Clubs and companies are also groaning under the rising costs."

Representatives of the traffic light coalition are meeting in Berlin this Saturday to discuss further relief in view of rising prices. Among other things, targeted help for pensioners and students and tax cuts as well as a successor regulation for the 9-euro ticket are under discussion.

Appeal to the traffic lights

The mayor of Münster appealed to the coalition to agree on "concrete and effective relief". "Heating cost subsidy and child bonus are fast help that reaches those affected very precisely. That is good and right. But we also need a big solution for this winter that works quickly and can be implemented in practice." Lewe campaigned for an energy price cap: "With a capped basic budget, the energy supplier's bill for customers could be lower and the incentive to save could still be retained."