Social – Berlin – Senator for Social Affairs Kipping: The mood could change quickly – economy
Berlin (dpa / bb) – Berlin’s Senator for Social Affairs, Katja Kipping, has warned of a shift in the mood in society given the energy crisis. “If we want to continue to have a high level of acceptance of the sanctions against Russia, the federal government must cushion the social consequences for credible ones who have little,” the left-wing politician told the “Tagesspiegel” (Thursday). “I’ll say very clearly: If the FDP in the federal government doesn’t take action, that they have to cushion things here, then the mood threatens to change very quickly,” said Kipping. “That will become a problem for democracy.”
For example, the federal government can introduce an excess profit tax and tax millions in profits more heavily. A strong social policy is also a question of state political responsibility. “For me, forward-looking politics means looking at what we have to do to ensure that the mood does not change,” said the Senator for Social Affairs. “Anyone who neglects social policy now is playing into Putin’s arms at the end of the day.”
Against this background, Kipping called the proposal by SPD head of state Raed Saleh to initially forego special repayments in Berlin and to use the money to increase the planned energy fund from 380 million euros to up to one billion euros as a good idea. “We must also not forget that there are people who work hard or strengthen the community with their commitment, but have a very low income or a small pension.”
First of all, however, the federal government is responsible. “We as a state can only have a mitigating effect in an emergency and don’t want to set anything up, which would then make the federal government a slim foot, but nothing will matter to the people because state services may be taken into account.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:220721-99-103208/2