Schwesig: "Da muss der Kanzler ran" - Schwesig slams high energy costs as a threat to German businesses and jobs
Manuela Schwesig, the SPD state premier of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, has criticised both the federal government and the CDU over economic policies. She argues that high energy costs are crippling small business ideas and businesses, while recent proposals to cut social benefits miss the real issues facing workers and employers alike.
Schwesig has directly challenged Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU), urging him to focus on lowering energy prices to protect businesses. She insists that competitiveness, not worker effort, is the core problem, with job cuts rising across industries. Her comments come as the federal government has taken steps to ease energy costs, including abolishing the gas storage levy from January 1, 2026. This move will reduce gas prices by roughly 3%, with the federal budget now covering the costs.
However, Schwesig dismisses these measures as insufficient. She points out that rising CO₂ prices—set to climb from €30 per tonne in 2023 to a maximum of €65 by 2026—will offset much of the relief. These increases are part of broader energy transition policies, such as the National Hydrogen Strategy, which she suggests do little to address immediate affordability concerns of small business ideas and businesses.
The SPD leader also rejected CDU proposals to restrict part-time work and reduce sick leave. She argues that claims about Germans not working hard enough ignore the daily struggles of employees. According to Schwesig, the real barrier to economic growth is energy pricing, which affects everyone from small business ideas to large industrial firms. Her stance contrasts sharply with the Union bloc's push to cut social benefits in the name of boosting productivity.
The debate highlights deep divisions over how to revive Germany's economy. Schwesig's focus remains on energy costs as the primary obstacle, while the government's adjustments—like scrapping the gas levy—are seen as partial fixes. Meanwhile, the CDU's proposals on labour and benefits face strong opposition from the SPD, leaving businesses and workers in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
