Erfurt (dpa/th) - Thuringia's hardship program for companies that face existential problems as a result of the energy crisis will be increased by a double-digit million amount. Of the funds earmarked by the federal government for alleviating hardship cases, around 25 million euros went to Thuringia, said Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) on Friday in Erfurt.
The money will be put into the energy aid fund that the state parliament decided a few weeks ago. The so-called special fund, from which various aid programs are to be financed, has so far had a volume of 407 million euros.
Ramelow pointed out that Thuringia's hardship program had already started at the beginning of December. According to the head of government, he assumes that hardship can be compensated for by rising prices for various energy sources. He named liquid gas, pellets and heating oil as examples.
According to the Economics Ministry, the hardship program for companies has so far been endowed with 120 million euros. The Internet platform for applications was activated on December 1st at the Thüringer Aufbaubank. The program is designed in such a way that there can be no double funding from the federal government.
According to initial estimates by the Economics Ministry, 500 to 1,000 companies in Bavaria could find themselves in a financial situation that could endanger their existence as a result of the exploding energy prices.
