It still smells like summer, but winter will soon come and with it the increase in energy prices
“If Germany no longer gets natural gas from Russia, Ukraine will not be able to get more support, because then we might be busy with popular uprisings,” Foreign Minister Analena Burbock warned in July at an event organized by the Editors’ Network Germany.
As he later stated, he deliberately exaggerated the wording. Yet concern grows across party lines. What will happen in autumn and winter in Germany if energy prices continue to rise, food becomes more and more expensive, companies are forced to stop production and many people end up unemployed?
The Left is already calling tomorrow Monday for a first demonstration in Leipzig. Opinion polls show, however, that Germans still show solidarity with Kyiv. According to ZDF’s Political Barometer, 71% answered yes to the question whether Germany should support Ukraine despite high energy prices.
Big disappointment but…
Regarding sanctions against Russia, 63% of respondents in western states support them, but only 39% in eastern states. Even in August’s ZDF Political Barometer, only 55% of respondents said their financial situation was good. At the beginning of the year it was 65%. Even 40% of citizens believe that their financial situation will be worse in a year from today. Also, according to 58% of respondents the government is doing too little to relieve citizens of the price burden.
The frustration is particularly strong, and top politicians such as Chancellor Olaf Solz and Economy Minister Robert Habeck have seen it first hand. Olaf Solz, for example, was called a “traitor” and a “liar” during his summer tour.
According to Professor of Sociology Matthias Gwent from the University of Magdeburg Stendhal, these are mostly supporters of far-right parties, which may appear to be spontaneous demonstrations, but in fact “they ultimately want to abolish liberal democracy”.
There are no signs of major disturbances
The German scientist prefers to speak more of an “autumn and winter of discord” rather than rage. However, the protests could take on violent characteristics. “That’s not such a far-fetched scenario,” he says.
For now, experts are monitoring the situation. The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution observes that a radicalized minority of far-right elements are taking extreme positions on issues such as the war in Ukraine, rising prices, inflation. At the same time, they add that “there are no indications of extensive anti-government demonstrations or violent mass riots”.
The government, on the other hand, presents the support packages it receives for the relief of the citizens, amounting to 30 billion euros so far. Protests and demonstrations may therefore take place, however “people’s trust in the state and institutions is, in my opinion, vital to maintain social peace and survive this crisis”, concludes Stefan Kramer, president of the Agency Protection of the Constitution in Thuringia.
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
