Amid the rise in petrol and energy prices, the social wing of the CDU is calling on the center-right coalition government to issue some form of relief signal over the weekend. Dennis Radtke, chairman of the Christian Democratic Workers’ Association of Germany (CDA), told the “Tagesspiegel” (Saturday edition) that he wishes the coalition committee would convey, both substantively and communicatively, that they acknowledge the difficulty faced by many people in the country and are therefore implementing targeted support measures. Previously, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) had made the suggestion that people should not expect immediate decisions when addressing a “Tagesspiegel” question about potential relief measures during a press conference on Thursday. Radtke highlighted that current price increases at gas stations and grocery stores represent a “real strain on people’s wallets and for the economy”. Furthermore, he pointed to the psychological aspect, arguing that although no government can fully compensate for the effects of geopolitical events, failing to address public anxieties can have severe consequences. The CDA chairman stated, “The fear of not being able to cover ongoing costs despite working hard is very real for many. Half of the population has no savings. The trust in democracy and in the government is worrying”.
Politics
