Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz sees the drastically rising prices as "social explosives" and has therefore called on the citizens to stick together.

On Monday he started the so-called concerted action together with employers and trade unions to make it clear: "Everyone will join hands again in Germany, the social partners, the state," said the social democrat on Sunday in the ARD summer interview.

However, he has not yet announced any further concrete relief.

As far as the fight against the corona pandemic is concerned, he does not expect a lockdown for this autumn and winter like in the past two years, but expects the mask requirement to be tightened if the situation worsens.

Scholz returned from an eight-day summit marathon on Thursday.

The EU, G7 and NATO meetings focused primarily on reactions to Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

With the Concerted Action, Scholz is once again dedicating himself to domestic politics in the last week of the Bundestag session.

In this dialogue initiated by Scholz with the social partners, scientists and the Bundesbank, steps against inflation are to be discussed.

However, further concrete relief is not to be decided for the time being.

The Chancellor referred to the previous relief measures amounting to 30 billion euros.

"Right now all these measures are being rolled out," he said.

But he is very worried about rising energy prices.

"Because the citizens have to get by with their lives, and if the heating bill suddenly increases by a few hundred euros, then that's a sum that many people can't really cope with.

This is social dynamite.”

Scholz speaks out against school closures

There should not be such drastic corona measures as in the two previous years.

"There shouldn't be any more school closures, and I don't think we need a lockdown like we've had in recent years," he said.

However, the chancellor can imagine that compulsory tests and masks will again play a greater role in the fight in autumn and winter.

"I think you have to assume that the mask will play a bigger role in autumn and winter than it does now."

Scholz called on everyone over the age of 60 to get a fourth vaccination against Corona.

The 64-year-old Chancellor revealed that he himself is one of the seven percent of people in Germany who have already received a second booster vaccination after the two vaccinations for the basic immunization.

It would be a "good thing" if everyone over 60 did the same, "because it helps."

Scholz pointed out that he himself had not yet been infected with Corona.

"Maybe the fact that I got vaccinated four times is why it didn't happen."

Criticism of communication style

Scholz rejected the increasing criticism of his communication style by saying that he did not want to make any empty promises.

"I think I'm right in not being one of those politicians who makes an announcement every week, about 90 percent of which aren't going to happen," he said.

The chancellor has been accused of not explaining his politics well enough and sometimes appearing arrogant in public appearances.

Regarding the latter allegation, he said: "I don't think that's the case, so I don't share the assessment."

In a part of the interview broadcast via social media, in which Scholz also answered questions from citizens, there were also a few insights into the chancellor's private life.

He said he did the shopping himself and was reasonably accurate when asked about the prices of butter and strawberries.

Taking cold showers to save energy would be difficult for the chancellor.

"Everyone has to think for themselves what they think is right in life." Some always take a cold shower anyway because they think it's right for their own health.

"I don't, to be honest," he said.

In his own words, Scholz was uncomfortable when asked about his carbon footprint.

He pointed out that he is driven in armored vehicles and is a frequent flyer as Chancellor.

That's why his carbon footprint is "terrible," he said.

"I don't think you should beat around the bush.

Scholz ruled out a speed limit on the Autobahn.

"This government didn't agree on that and that's why it's not coming."