Hamburg’s First Mayor, Peter Tschentscher (SPD), has called for an extraordinary ministerial conference, making him the second state leader to do so amid the energy price crisis and debate over relief measures. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel”, he stated that “the current situation requires an exceptional ministerial conference to assess the situation and discuss necessary measures”.
According to Tschentscher, the federal government departments and the federal states need to consolidate their information. This consolidation must include assessments from the Federal Chancellery and the Foreign Office concerning the international conflict situation, energy supply security, and price development. He added, “Furthermore, we must advise on and decide on the impact, financing, and feasibility of concrete measures against the gasoline price crisis. Waiting is not an option; Germany must take action”.
Bremen’s Mayor, Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD), also called for an extraordinary ministerial conference. Dietmar Woidke (SPD), the Minister-President of Brandenburg, echoed the call for swift action, noting, “Many people and companies rely on vehicles. It is essential that the federal government quickly takes steps to alleviate the burden of fuel prices. A windfall tax could be one such possible measure”.
Previously, Olaf Lies (SPD), the Minister-President of Lower Saxony, and Manuela Schwesig (SPD), the Minister-President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, had also urged the federal government to become active without delay.