Regarding the results of the conference of prime ministers with the Federal Chancellor, Saarland's Minister-President Anke Rehlinger states:
“The federal government and the states are working together to ensure that Germany gets through the winter well. To achieve this, we are implementing very large relief measures for gas and electricity, on the financing of which we have agreed. Enormous sums are being moved, significantly more than during the Corona crisis. All those responsible want to provide quick and effective relief to the citizens because we know how much the high prices are weighing on them. It is also about preserving our companies, whether small, medium-sized or energy-intensive industries, and safeguarding jobs.
A lot of work has been done in recent weeks, and we have made progress on many points. For the first time, we have also agreed on an approach to provide relief for heating oil and pellets in cases of absolute hardship. This is an important step for which Saarland has strongly advocated, even though I would have wished for a more comprehensive regulation.
I very much welcome that the federal government intends to provide eight billion euros for hospitals. This must now be implemented quickly.
The federal government has structurally and permanently acknowledged its responsibility for public transport financing and has made financially binding commitments. The states will constructively support the introduction of the Deutschland-Ticket, even though we know that future costs will be significantly higher if we not only make public transport more affordable but also expand it to achieve climate goals.”
