The federal government, which considers that Putin uses fuel as a “weapon” to divide Europeans, prepares citizens for winter with an “energy austerity” plan
“From now on, gas is a scarce commodity,” declared the Minister of Economy and Climate, the green Robert Habeck, after activating the so-called second phase of the gas emergency plan. Supplies from Russia have not been cut off, but have decreased. Something that in a power like Germany, with 82 million inhabitants and a strong dependence on Russian gas, is equivalent to an emergency.
Security of supply is guaranteed for the time being, but there is no need to be overconfident, Habeck added. Currently the deposits are at a level of 58% more full than last year. But the scenario being considered is a 60% reduction in the medium term, which will leave those deposits empty in the coming German winter.
In fact, Habeck has already begun to prepare the population for the harsh winter with an “energy austerity” plan, presenting a few weeks ago a catalog with tricks on how to save energy (take a quick shower, turn down the heating and air conditioning or use the bike).
The Minister of Economy and Climate, with the rank of vice-chancellor in the government of Olaf Scholz, had been warning for days that President Vladimir Putin is using gas “as a weapon of war.” He uses it not only against Germany, which as a result of the invasion has ceased to be the great energy client that it was under the Social Democrat Gerhard Schröder and the conservative Angela Merkel. The purpose of the Kremlin leader is “to destroy Europe’s unity, solidarity and readiness to support Ukraine,” according to Habeck.
The representative of the Greens is right now the highest rated politician in the country and also the most present in the media, far ahead of Scholz. He has pragmatically launched himself into the search for alternatives to Russian gas and managed to reduce imports from 55% in February to the current 35% in a few months.
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