In view of the cancellation of many Christmas markets, the German Schaustellerbund has demanded considerable state financial aid.

Albert Ritter, President of the German Schaustellerbund, told the German Press Agency: “We really have to get one hundred percent compensation.

At least we need November and December aid, as we did last year.

Otherwise, many showmen are about to end. "

The economic situation of the showmen was "extremely dramatic," said Ritter.

“I took out a KfW loan myself, which I will have to repay from October.

How should I do that? ”The federal government must make massive improvements to the aid.

“What use is it to me if I can have perishable seasonal goods written off?

We have to make a profit.

I have the feeling that the politicians don't know what it is like to be dependent on the daily budget and have to feed your family with it.

But you can't understand that when you get a fat pension as a minister. "

Showmen feel abandoned

Despair and anger reigned among the showmen, said Ritter.

They felt abandoned by politics.

“We showmen feel we are being pilloried completely unjustly.

We can't understand why Christmas markets with 2G rules are canceled.

I was recently in Erfurt: The Christmas market with entrance sluices and 2 G was canceled, and restaurants and retail outlets are open next door.

We don't get that.

When Christmas markets in the open air are canceled, the young people meet at home, that makes no sense. "

The federal government had announced that it would give more support to operators of Christmas markets.

The acting Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier (CDU) said on Wednesday that it was about easier access to equity grants.

The bridging allowance, which was limited to the end of the year, was extended until the end of March 2022.

Companies affected by the pandemic are reimbursed for fixed operating costs.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs had declared that exhibitors at Christmas markets could already receive the applicable bridging aid III Plus, for them the depreciation on perishable goods and seasonal goods was "particularly relevant".

In the case of the billions in November and December aid, companies were supported last year that had to cease business operations due to closure regulations in the federal states.

The amount of a flat fee was up to 75 percent of the respective comparable sales in the previous year.