SPD under pressure in energy crisis - Woidke: We must act

Created: 2022-09-29Updated: 2022-09-29 15:53

Various groceries are listed on the receipt of a discounter.

© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa/Illustration

The citizens of Brandenburg are afraid of the consequences of high energy prices and are getting impatient.

In a survey, the AfD is on par with the SPD.

Prime Minister Woidke sees the need to act - but it's up to the federal government to act.

Potsdam – The energy crisis brings the SPD and AfD in Brandenburg on an equal footing in a survey around two years before the state elections.

The long-time governing party and the largest opposition party are tied for the Sunday question with 24 percent each.

The SPD sees an increased need for action to support citizens.

However, she is less concerned by the values ​​in the Sunday question than by the fears of the citizens.

The AfD demonstrates self-confidence.

Prime Minister and SPD head of state Dietmar Woidke expressed concern about the “Brandenburg Trend” published on Wednesday by Infratest dimap on behalf of Antenne Brandenburg and the rbb magazine “Brandenburg aktuell”: 88 percent of those surveyed are therefore afraid of losing jobs due to high Gas and electricity prices, almost half expect difficulties with the energy bill.

"That should really concern us, it also drives me crazy, it makes me restless," said Woidke to the rbb station Radio eins.

"I know: we have to act and we have to act quickly together with the federal government."

The results of the "Brandenburg Trend" mean a slump of six percentage points for the SPD compared to April, while the AfD has gained five points.

The CDU remained at 18 percent, the Greens increased one point to 11 percent.

The left also recorded an increase and now comes to 9 percent after 7 percent in spring.

BVB/Free Voters and FDP achieved 4 percent.

Satisfaction with the red-black-green state government fell to a low of 39 percent.

The SPD sees the energy crisis as the reason for its poor performance: "The survey is an expression of the difficult times.

The citizens expect answers on how to get through the winter," said SPD Secretary General David Kolesnyk of the German Press Agency.

"The SPD is fighting to ensure that they get the support they need.

The same applies to the economy.”

The federal states are demanding an energy price cap for electricity, gas and heat.

The SPD-led countries are promoting an exception to the debt brake.

Woidke aroused expectations when, about two weeks ago, he promised the country a rescue package that would have to have a volume in the three-digit million euro range.

He insists that the federal government first declare an emergency so that the country can incur debt.

But the traffic light coalition in the federal government is just as divided on this issue as the state leaders.

Hopes rest on the consultations with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on October 4th.

The AfD sees Brandenburg on the train, not the federal government.

"People in the state have to realize that the needs of their own citizens are the focus," said State Chairwoman Birgit Bessin.

"I have to work to ensure that the people of Brandenburg get through the crisis and that we don't wake up one day with the status of a developing country.

To do that, I have to dare to declare a state of emergency myself and to take my own aid funds into my own hands for immediate measures.” She suggested cutting funds for “Tolerant Brandenburg”, which fights right-wing extremism, and for the energy transition for gender and refugee policy.

Die Linke believes that the policies of the SPD-led state government in the energy crisis are strengthening the AfD.

"The state government has no adequate answers to the concerns of many people (...).

Instead, sedative pills are distributed," said Linke state manager Stefan Wollenberg on Thursday.

"That only strengthens the AfD - and endangers people's trust in the ability of politics to act." dpa