Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz invites employers and trade unions to a concerted campaign for measures against high inflation.

"We need a targeted effort in a very unusual situation," said the SPD politician in the general debate in the Bundestag.

"We want a concerted action against the price pressure." Everyone should contribute something.

Scholz previously rejected allegations that pensioners were being neglected as part of the relief measures against high energy prices.

"By the way, pensioners also benefit from the relief packages, electricity bills, the fuel discount and the 9-euro ticket," he said in the debate on the 2022 budget, which is traditionally a debate on government policy as a whole.

In addition, pensions on July 1 rose more than they had in decades.

The pension level will not fall below 48 percent in the future either.

"This is an important achievement by this government," said Scholz.

There had previously been criticism because an energy price flat rate of 300 euros should only be paid to employed persons who are subject to income tax - pensioners, students and trainees therefore received nothing.

Union parliamentary group leader Friedrich Merz welcomed the agreement with the governing coalition on the 100 billion euro special fund for the Bundeswehr.

"You have fully complied with our wishes," said the opposition leader to the SPD, Greens and FDP.

The money will only be used for the Bundeswehr, as requested by the Union.

In addition, the armament projects would be laid down in an economic plan.

For the first time, the Bundeswehr will receive a financing law that makes it clear that Germany will also meet its obligations to NATO once the special fund has been exhausted.

"And that can also be more than two percent of the gross domestic product," said Merz.

"Why don't you say it?"

Merz, in turn, sharply attacked Scholz for his attitude to the Ukraine war.

Scholz is only saying that Russia must not win this war and that Ukraine must survive, said Merz.

But why doesn't Scholz say that Ukraine must win the war and Russia must at least withdraw beyond the pre-February 24 contact line.

"Why don't you say it?" Merz asked.

"Is there a second agenda?" The word used by Scholz, a turning point in time, remains "unrelated".

For more than a month, the chancellor has not been able to fulfill the Bundestag's order to also supply heavy weapons to Ukraine, criticized Merz.

In the European Union there is "now only resentment, there is disappointment about Germany's unclear role and there is real irritation at you and your government," said Merz to the Chancellor.

As the highlight of the budget week in the Bundestag, the general debate began in the morning.

When the chancellery budget is debated, the government and opposition traditionally exchange blows on current issues.

As chairman of the largest opposition faction, Friedrich Merz opened the debate.

After him it was Scholz's turn.

All other group leaders also wanted to take the floor.

The dominant topic of the four-hour general debate is the Ukraine war and its consequences.

This also includes high inflation, especially the huge increase in energy prices, and the question of how the government is reacting to this.