Economics Minister Robert Habeck warns that concerns about a secure energy supply will preoccupy Germany for years to come. This will present society with a crucial test that has never been seen before. A failure of gas supplies would be a “political nightmare scenario”.
In view of the impending failure of gas supplies from Russia, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) warned of a “political nightmare scenario”. This would occur if the state had to control the allocation of gas in an acute crisis, Habeck told Deutschlandfunk on Saturday. He had “no illusions” about what would happen then, said the Green politician. “That will put Germany to a crucial test that we haven’t had for a long time.”
In the winter, a “serious” situation in the gas supply threatens if it is not possible to fill the storage tanks by then and open new supply routes – for example for liquid gas – said Habeck. The tenants’ association warned of the ruin of millions of households in view of the high gas prices.
Such an emergency must be prevented, for example, by saving and storing gas, said Habeck. An acute gas shortage would strain social solidarity “to the limit and probably beyond”. The minister emphasized that in the event of a crisis, according to European legal norms, intervention in private gas consumption and critical infrastructure such as hospitals and old people’s homes is the “last resort”.
The price adjustments for consumers would “be tough and for some people too tough,” said Habeck. “I don’t want to hide it: I believe that without further political support, we will tear apart or, let’s say, the division, the social division, will be promoted there too much.” Further relief is currently being discussed in the “concerted action” between the government and spoken to social partners.
Habeck accused the Russian energy supplier Gazprom of having reduced gas deliveries to Germany for “thinny reasons”. It is unclear how things will continue after the maintenance work on the Nord Stream 1 pipeline that begins on Monday.
Habeck spoke out in favor of a new relief package – and promised further billions from the state coffers to support gas purchases. It is “completely clear that we will do what is necessary to provide security of supply in Germany,” he said. “If the market gets even more expensive, then we might have to make some more adjustments.”
“Anything is possible, anything can happen,” said Habeck. “It’s possible that more gas will flow again, even more than before. But it’s also possible that nothing will arrive at all.” The minister advised: “We have to honestly always expect the worst and work a little bit for the best.”
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The city of Nuremberg has announced a drastic step because of the worsening gas supply situation. Starting next week, several bathrooms are to be completely closed. The measure will be implemented until the end of September.
In an interview, Bavaria’s Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder reiterated his concerns that Germany could plunge into chaos if gas stopped flowing. In his view, the federal government alone is responsible for a possible blackout.
