BERLIN and Leipzig will see the first of a series of planned “Monday protests” against soaring energy bills called by Germany’s left party Die Linke tomorrow.

Protesters in Berlin will rally from 7pm outside the offices of the Greens under the slogan “Enough is enough — protest, don’t freeze.” The Greens hold the Economy and Foreign ministries in the current administration and are held responsible for an energy levy predicted to cost households hundreds of euros a year to prop up energy firms’ profits.

In Leipzig demonstrators will assemble in Augustusplatz under the same slogan.

Die Linke Leipzig stated: “While the energy companies shamelessly exploit the war [in Ukraine] and increase their profits, two-thirds of society are threatened with downright impoverishment. While the ruling traffic-light coalition can easily mobilise €100 billion (£86bn) for an arms package and arms industry stock prices skyrocket, the same government is giving tips on how to shower properly and feels unable to levy special taxes on extra profits or cap energy prices.”