Warming rooms for the needy, life extensions for nuclear power plants, a ban on gas locks for private consumers: Politicians are struggling to see how Germany can get through the winter without major upheavals.
In view of the gas crisis, there is continued pressure from the FDP and the Union to consider extending the service life of the remaining German nuclear power plants. At the same time, the debate is gaining momentum as to how social hardship can be cushioned – also with a view to a possible worsening of the situation in winter. CSU boss Markus Söder warned in the ARD summer interview: “It’s a real chaos that’s in front of us in winter. And my feeling and my concern is simply that the seriousness of the situation has not yet reached everyone.”
In view of a feared gas shortage, politicians must “do everything to get through the winter well,” said Deputy FDP parliamentary group leader Lukas Koehler of the daily newspaper “Welt”. “This also includes an ideology-free debate about whether we need to extend the nuclear power plants that are still in operation this winter. They are not a panacea, but in the event of a shortage, the gas must be available to heat homes and for industry,” demanded Köhler.
Söder continued in the ARD interview: It makes no sense to “switch off electricity for 10 million households – these are the three nuclear power plants that are still there”. Germany wants to phase out nuclear energy completely by the end of the year.
Greens do not want to extend nuclear power plants
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (both Green) had advised against longer nuclear power plant runtimes. “A small contribution to the energy supply would be opposed to major economic, legal and safety risks,” said the ministries in an audit report. The three operators also reject further operation. Söder criticized the rejection of the Greens: “It’s a purely ideological position.”
Support was voiced for Lemke’s push for a moratorium on gas and electricity cuts. The minister, who is also responsible for consumer protection, wants to protect citizens from such bans if price guarantees on the part of suppliers cannot be met. “Electricity and energy blockages are a barbaric act. (…) You have to ban them,” said the general manager of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, Ulrich Schneider, of the “Frankfurter Rundschau”. A moratorium, as applied to rent payments during an early phase of the corona pandemic, could help in the short term.
Lemke had told the “Bild am Sonntag” that the gas supply was currently secured – but one had to be prepared for “difficult times” in winter, when consumers needed special protection.
Left calls for state price control
A ban on gas and electricity blockages is the right way to protect people “at least for the moment in an existential situation,” said Linke boss Janine Wissler of the “Rheinische Post”. “However, without ongoing support, such as a long-overdue social climate bonus, many will not get out of the trap of not being able to pay their high bills.” In order to prevent energy companies from enriching themselves at the expense of consumers, state price supervision is also necessary.
The economic policy spokeswoman for the Union faction, Julia Klöckner, was critical of the proposal to provide for “heat islands” in the event of a very cold winter. “Providing heat islands for the poor can certainly not be the solution, we shouldn’t let things get that far in Germany. Nobody should have to freeze in their four walls,” she told the “Rheinische Post”. In view of the impending gas shortage and high energy prices, the Association of Towns and Municipalities brought the establishment of heating rooms, especially for older people, into play.
The energy policy spokesman for the Union faction, Andreas Jung (CDU), demanded in the “Welt”: “The coalition must immediately implement an energy saving plan for all federal buildings and agree on a national gas savings pact with the federal states and municipal umbrella organizations.”
Source: Stern
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