The start of the "concerted action" fueled expectations of new relief measures.
Chancellor Scholz announced that the talks with trade unions and business should only produce results "in the autumn".
But even from their own ranks, there are calls to announce further help to calm the citizens and to look good in the election campaign in Lower Saxony.
It might be faster.
Because while the group in the Chancellery is chatting about social peace, the Economics Minister is organizing Uniper's cramming.
In order to keep supply contracts, the company has to buy gas much more expensively than before, but must not pass on the costs because the coalition does not want premature price increases.
If the traffic light replaces Uniper's losses from taxpayers' money, it protects consumers.
In terms of the market economy, this is a questionable maneuver because it rewards mistakes by the group and reduces the pressure to save energy.
Politically, the traffic light buys peace and quiet for the summer – and pays in advance for the next meeting in the Chancellery.