Felix Banaszak, Co-Chair of the Greens, has criticized the delayed reaction of Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to the crisis in the steel industry. “It’s good that the Chancellor has recognized the urgency in the steel industry and the unbearable situation of the workers, even if it’s come late,” Banaszak told the “Handelsblatt” (Tuesday edition).
Scholz had invited industry representatives to a “steel summit” at the Chancellery on Monday. Scholz proposed, among other things, a reduction of network charges and an investment premium for the companies at the meeting.
Banaszak noted that Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had, together with the states, already made similar proposals to support the steel industry. “What’s important now is to act decisively on the basis of these proposals, without instrumentalizing the fears of the employees for election purposes,” he said.