17.08.2022, Brandenburg, Neuruppin: Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD) bei einer Dialogveranstaltung zusammen mit Wiebke Papenbrock (r, SPD), Bundestagsabgeordnete für Ostprignitz-Ruppin, Prignitz und das nördliche Havelland, mit Bürgerinnen und Bürgern. Foto: Carsten Koall/dpa +++ dpa-Bildfunk +++

It was about high inflation, rising energy prices and school operations in a winter with a lack of gas: accompanied by loud protests, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) faced a town meeting in the Brandenburg town of Neuruppin on Wednesday evening. On the school square, he and Bundestag member Wiebke Papenbrock (SPD) sought to talk to citizens.

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In the past few days, there had been speculation about the possibility of mass protests against government policies in the fall. Among other things, the left wants to organize demonstrators. The right mobilized too.

In Neuruppin, both the AfD and the left had called for counter-demonstrations. However, there was no question of masses – an estimated 300 protesters came to the edge of the closed-off event area. Most seemed to be AfD supporters. Protesters shouted “traitors of the people”, “liars” and “go away”. The SPD politician nevertheless went through with his appearance, although he could hardly be understood in view of the whistles and the chanting.

The police did not initially name the number of participants. According to a police spokeswoman, there was a complaint about resistance because a person did not want to leave the cordoned off area. Personal details have been identified. Violations of the assembly law would be examined.

Scholz addressed the noise over a loudspeaker system. He again promised a new relief package. The previous decisions of the traffic light coalition bring the citizens 30 billion euros, and not all of it has arrived, said the SPD politician. But it is clear: “More has to happen.” The government will decide on this “in the next few days”.

Scholz also promised a permanently “stable level of pensions” in response to a corresponding question in the citizens’ dialogue. It is about long-term security, “so that you can rely on the fact that this is a perspective”, even for 17-year-olds today.

When asked by a sixth grader, Scholz agreed that despite the lack of gas, school operations would be secured in winter, including activities in gyms. “I’m pretty confident that we can manage it.” The Chancellor defended the gas levy that will apply from October.

Scholz also justified the government’s actions after the Russian attack on Ukraine. He also expressed “serious concern” about the situation at Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. The federal government will continue to work towards averting a dramatic situation on the ground, said the SPD politician. It is “a very, very dangerous development that can take place there”.

The largest nuclear power plant in Europe is occupied by Russian troops and has been fired on several times in the past few days. Ukraine and Russia blame each other for this.

The harsh political climate was also illustrated by another question from a citizen. “When people go out on the streets again, will you give the order to shoot?” the man asked. “Will the police that are here now be used against the population? We saw how close it was here. The question is meant seriously.”

Scholz firmly rejected this. “Nobody in this country wants protesters to be shot at, and whoever spreads horror stories like that is a bad propagandist, if I may say so bluntly.”

There were also protests on Wednesday against Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner. Dozens of demonstrators called for his resignation in front of the FDP office in Berlin-Mitte. Under the motto “Lindner out. Redistribution now.” Several dozen people gathered in the early evening to accuse the FDP politician of unjust policies.

“We know the problem is far bigger than Christian Lindner, but at this moment he is a huge problem,” the organizers wrote on Facebook in the run-up to the meeting. According to a police spokesman, the demonstration was peaceful, but he did not initially provide information about the number of participants.