Schwesig: "Da muss der Kanzler ran" - Schwesig slams Union's economic plans as Germany's energy crisis deepens
Manuela Schwesig, the SPD state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has strongly opposed the Union bloc's latest economic proposals. She argues that cutting social benefits or restricting part-time work will not solve Germany's economic challenges. Instead, she points to high energy costs and job losses as the real obstacles facing businesses today.
Schwesig criticised recent CDU suggestions to reduce sick leave and limit part-time employment. She called these ideas an oversimplification, rejecting claims that Germans are not working enough. According to her, the core issue lies in job cuts and unaffordable energy prices, not working hours or absenteeism.
Her demands for action have already led to some federal measures. Over the past year, the government has halved the electricity levy, introduced price compensation, and scrapped the gas storage levy. Further steps were announced in the 2025/2026 budget, including a 2026 package worth around 10 billion euros annually. This includes a 6.5 billion euro subsidy to lower grid fees—saving households roughly 1.52 cents per kilowatt-hour—and plans for subsidised industrial electricity rates, approved by the EU.
Schwesig has repeatedly urged Chancellor Friedrich Merz to focus on reducing energy costs to improve competitiveness. She insists that without lower prices, businesses will continue to struggle, regardless of changes to working conditions.
The federal government has begun addressing Schwesig's concerns with targeted energy relief. The 2026 measures aim to ease financial pressure on households and industries. However, the debate over social benefits and working hours remains unresolved between the SPD and the Union bloc.
Read also:
- India's Agriculture Minister Reviews Sector Progress Amid Heavy Rains, Crop Areas Up
- Over 1.7M in Baden-Württemberg at Poverty Risk, Emmendingen's Housing Crisis Urgent
- Life Expectancy Soars, But Youth Suicide and Substance Abuse Pose Concern
- Cyprus, Kuwait Strengthen Strategic Partnership with Upcoming Ministerial Meeting
