A relay for closing or interrupting the electric circuit between two relay connection contacts includes two contact springs which are each fixed in an electrically conductive manner to the relay connection contacts with the spring ends thereof facing away from each other and which face each other with the other free, deflectable spring ends thereof. A stationary, electrically conductive contact bridge, against which the free spring ends abut in the closed relay position and from which the free spring ends are lifted in the open relay position, is included. A single solenoid-operated mechanism is for the synchronous, parallel deflection of the two contact springs into the closed or open relay position.