German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is advocating for financial relief for industries burdened by high electricity grid fees.

During a visit to the steel manufacturer Georgsmarienhütte, Habeck emphasized the need for state subsidies to alleviate these costs, which are crucial for industrial investments.

However, the source of funding remains uncertain after a constitutional court ruling dissolved the planned 5.5 billion euro subsidy from the Economic Stabilization Fund.

Habeck's proposal has faced criticism from the Free Democratic Party (FDP), which argues that his approach could harm the country's competitiveness.

The FDP suggests that Habeck should focus on enhancing competitiveness rather than increasing state debt.

Meanwhile, the steel industry, represented by Georgsmarienhütte, warns that without support, they risk losing competitiveness, as a significant portion of their planned investments has already been halted due to the lack of subsidies.