Brandenburg's government is planning an aid package for companies
Created: 09/12/2022Updated: 09/12/2022, 19:58
The counter in a guest meter rotates.
© Jens Büttner/dpa/symbol image
In view of the high energy and raw material prices, there is great concern about company collapses.
Brandenburg's Prime Minister Woidke wants to prevent a wave of insolvencies, but is also waiting for the federal government to set the course.
Potsdam - Brandenburg's state government is preparing its own aid package for companies in view of the rising energy and raw material prices.
Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) said on Monday evening in Potsdam after a meeting with representatives of companies and associations that such a rescue package would have to have a volume in the hundreds of millions.
"I believe that there has to be this aid package".
However, this presupposes that the federal government declares an emergency situation so that the federal states can take out loans similar to what happened with the Corona aid.
He's been waiting for this for weeks, said Woidke.
"When the child is in the well, it's too late." He once again called on the federal government not to hesitate any longer and to declare the emergency.
"We have to help the companies and the people in the country now." The state government will do everything to prevent a wave of bankruptcies.
The head of government met with numerous energy companies and associations on Monday to discuss energy and supply security in winter.
Woidke emphasized that a broad alliance of business, civil society and politics is required.
The president of the Berlin-Brandenburg business associations, Stefan Moschko, said in Potsdam that handicraft and retail businesses were up to their necks.
He was told that for a retail company that operates three to four shops, the price of electricity had increased from EUR 300,000 to EUR 1.1 million within a short space of time.
"This means that the company is no longer viable."
He also fears that industrial jobs in Germany will be lost because companies are moving abroad.
On Tuesday, the Brandenburg cabinet will also discuss its strategy in view of the energy crisis in a special session in Potsdam.
Woidke sees the economic and social structure in Germany at risk.
Municipal utilities and hospitals are in need, he said.
Cuts were also threatened for clubs and associations, sports facilities and swimming pools.
"We have to hold the country together here." dpa
