Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir (Greens) defended the state’s aid programs to alleviate the financial consequences of the Ukraine war in an emotional debate in the state parliament. The federal and state governments have put together relief packages and have moved large sums of money for this, said the Economics Minister on Wednesday in the Hessian state parliament in Wiesbaden.
In addition, a lot of energy was saved by the citizens, the economy and the state, which is why the winter was overcome comparatively successfully. However, since next winter is still just around the corner, energy savings should not be slacked off, stressed the Economics Minister.
Among other things, the Hessian state government had put together an aid package worth billions with which the financial consequences of the energy crisis for people, companies, associations and institutions in the state should be cushioned. “We’re far from done,” said Al-Wazir. There are still many people who have to fight really hard. “But we’re slowly getting the hang of it.”
Left faction leader Jan Schalauske, on the other hand, said that Hesse would not get through the crisis in a stable manner. Inflation is leading to massive real wage losses for many people. Social inequality is increasing. There are long queues at the tables. The state government’s aid package is not sufficient.
The AfD parliamentary group’s economic expert, Andreas Lichtert, explained that the actual costs of the Ukraine war can currently only be guessed at. The price increases weighed on purchasing power and thus overall economic demand. The permanently increased price level causes a massive loss of prosperity for all citizens.
