Left Party continues to demand a stop to energy cuts in Saxony

The Left Party continues to fight for an end to energy cuts for Saxon households even after losing a vote in the state parliament. "Only the Green parliamentary group supported our motion. The other parliamentary groups obviously have no awareness of the problem or want to live with the fact that energy freezes make the situation of those affected even worse," Left Party parliamentary group leader Susanne Schaper told the German Press Agency. These people need help. It would be best if everyone could pay their bills straight away.

The Left Party parliamentary group had submitted a motion to the state parliament calling for electricity and gas cut-offs to be banned and energy emergencies to be prevented. "In our rich country, people have to live without electricity for many days - in other words, without electric light, and their cell phones quickly run out," said Schaper, referring to other difficulties faced by those affected.

"Personal hygiene has to do without a hairdryer or razor. Clean laundry is rare when the washing machine is on forced break. The fridge is out, food and medicines spoil. There is no hot food in sight because the microwave and stove remain cold. After sunset, the only thing that helps is candlelight." Moles would also find their way around their burrow in the dark, but not humans.

Problem especially for families with children

"Everyone can understand how stressful this is, especially for sick people and families with children," explained Schaper. She had recently asked the state parliament for figures on the subject. According to these figures, there were more than 7,500 power cuts in the major cities of Leipzig, Dresden and Chemnitz last year. In Leipzig, 70 percent of them lasted more than 15 days. "The situation in the districts and how often private providers disconnect households is not recorded. We have to assume a large number of unreported cases."

Left-wing parties propose state strategy against energy poverty

The left-wing parties are proposing aid measures. The government should develop a state strategy against energy poverty together with local authorities, charities and debt and energy advice centers. "At least in the medium term, there should be no more electricity and gas cuts at the expense of private households. In order to record the situation, all network operators and energy suppliers should inform the Ministry of Social Affairs anonymously of any disconnections," it said.

Municipal energy and housing companies should only be allowed to use this measure as a last resort and should take into account any special need for protection. Die Linke could also imagine a hardship fund for emergencies.