The debate about how to deal with the gas crisis in Germany is in full swing. How can drastic shortages be prevented? And who has to cut back on gas consumption first?
After the gas alert level was declared, Federal Consumer Protection Minister Steffi Lemke emphasized the priority given to certain parts of society when it came to supply.
“For me it is particularly important that in all stages of this emergency plan the supply of private households and social institutions such as hospitals is secured and they are particularly protected,” said the Green politician of the dpa. “For the federal government, it is crucial that the energy supply in Germany remains secure.”
After the drastic reduction in gas supplies from Russia as a result of the Ukraine war, the government declared the alarm level in the so-called gas emergency plan on Thursday. The plan has three levels: early warning, alert and emergency. The alert level indicates a disruption in supply or exceptionally high demand that results in a significant deterioration in supply. However, the market is still able to cope with this.
Backing for Habeck
Lemke called the corresponding classification by Economics Minister Robert Habeck (also Green) a “hard but right decision”. The minister also supported Habeck’s appeal to save energy. “Everyone is required here: companies, public institutions as well as private households.”
The President of the Federal Network Agency, Klaus Müller, believes it is possible for consumer prices for gas to triple. “If you extrapolate it, it depends a lot on how you heat, how your building is built. But the previous gas bill can triple, »Müller told the broadcasters RTL / ntv.
Habeck said in the RTL night journal that the “price wave” was “actually unavoidable”. When asked if he feared that Russia would stop supplying gas after a maintenance interval on the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline planned for mid-July, he said: “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid.”
In the ZDF “heute journal” he said that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, with the gradual reduction in gas exports, was pursuing the plan to keep prices high in Germany and Europe “in order to increase social unrest”. The federal government’s measures should also serve to unite society – “that Putin doesn’t win, that’s what matters”.
CDU politician: There must be “no more taboos”
The economic wing of the CDU calls on Habeck to agree to a longer term for the remaining three nuclear power plants in Germany. “Before citizens sit in the cold and companies are shut down, the federal government must jump over their shadow,” said the chairwoman of the CDU’s SME and Economic Union (MIT), Gitta Connemann, the dpa. The member of the Bundestag warned that the heating period would start in twelve weeks. “Now there can be no more taboos.” Habeck should not explain, but must act.
The economist Volker Wieland also advocates a longer term. “Now at the latest it is urgently necessary to remove natural gas from electricity production as much as possible,” he told the “Bild” newspaper. The government should “take advantage of all possibilities for replacement”.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
