Before the government's announced decisions on a new relief package, the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) specified its proposal for an energy price cap.

In view of the rising gas and electricity prices, politicians must quickly get the energy price cap on the way, according to a new DGB concept that is available to the German Press Agency.

Without sufficient relief measures, the DGB sees social cohesion, economic development and solidarity with Ukraine at risk.

The state should give every household a price guarantee for a basic requirement for electricity or gas.

The market price should apply to everything above that.

In a model calculation of the DGB concept, a family of three would pay 990 euros for a basic gas requirement of 11,000 kWh.

According to the concept, the total costs for the energy price cap amount to a maximum of 11 billion euros at the current price level and 22.65 billion euros at a gas price level of 20 cents/kWh.

Even if it is implemented promptly, such a price cap cannot be expected to be introduced before the end of this year.

"Until an energy price cap is implemented, short-term relief measures (...) should be implemented in order to adequately cushion the existing price shocks," said the trade union federation.

DGB boss Yasmin Fahimi told the German Press Agency: "The federal government's previous relief measures are far from sufficient." The basic need for electricity and gas must remain affordable for everyone.

"On the other hand, if you live big, you should also pay for it." Fahimi specifically suggested that there should be a flat-rate energy price of 500 euros before there is a price cap.

Fahimi demanded that pensioners, trainees, students and benefit recipients would also have to be taken into account if such a flat rate were to be reissued.

Fahimi put the savings for a 3-person household through a price cap at around 1,200 euros per year.

"The price is formed on the market above the basic requirement," she explained.

"This is an effective incentive for households with higher consumption to save energy." Fahimi suggested the federal government's climate and transformation fund for financing.

"This could compensate for the resulting difference in costs between the capped price and the market price for a transitional period." If the market price moves below the capped price again, the price cap would continue to apply as the lower limit according to the proposal.

"This means that there is still an incentive to save energy, while at the same time income is generated to replenish the climate and transformation fund," explained Fahimi.

SPD leader Lars Klingbeil has also called for a quick agreement on the planned relief for citizens.

"The third relief package has to come really quickly now. It's urgently needed," Klingbeil told the "Stern".

That is a clear signal that people need now.

The current insecurity could result in something "extremely dangerous for our society and democracy if the impression is given that Berlin doesn't have it under control," said Klingbeil.

Specifically, he would like one-off payments that also reach pensioners and students.

From his point of view, relief should therefore be financed via an excess profit tax.

Klingbeil said the focus this time is on low-income earners.

"We can't compensate for everything

but we will continue to cushion.

And only for those who are really hard hit.

There will be groups to which we clearly say: There is nothing we can do for you."