Gas and electricity are expensive – so expensive that many don’t know how to cope with skyrocketing energy costs and pay their rent. For the ex-Federal Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble, the prospect that many citizens will freeze in winter as a result does not seem to be a big problem.
“Then you just put on a sweater. Or maybe a second sweater. You don’t have to complain about that, you have to recognize that a lot of things are not self-evident,” said the CDU politician in an interview with Bild on Monday. According to him, the Germans could also face power outages. “That’s why you should always have a few candles, matches and a flashlight at home,” he advises.
According to the 80-year-old, there should be financial relief from the state – but not for everyone. “You have to make sure that you only help those who really need it. You have to say to others: If you have to, you can’t go on a vacation trip,” he says. After all, the state is not “something that just has to deliver more and more to its citizens [or] a kind of supermarket where the citizens are bargain hunters.”
The former finance minister observed with concern “that many Germans would prefer to work less, for example part-time and never at the weekend.” He is certain that this will not work as there would be a shortage of workers everywhere. “Always having fun – that’s not fulfilling life,” says the politician.
Schäuble’s statements caused a stir on Twitter. A user writes: “‘If you don’t have bread, then you should eat cake!’ Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. ‘Then you just put on a sweater!’, Wolfgang Schäuble. Kings of Germany.”
Another user tweeted: “With all due respect, Mr. Schäuble, but there is a deal. WE pay billions in taxes for this state, its politicians and officials. And in return the state provides, among other things, a functioning infrastructure, including energy and heat. WE kept the deal.”
Sources: Image, RP Online, Twitter