Habeck in the tagesthemen interview: “Honest politics is not scaremongering”

Is Germany facing a crucial test because of the gas problem? Minister of Economics Habeck said that and received criticism from the Union. in the daily themeIn an interview, he decidedly rejected this.

Should Russia completely stop its gas supplies and therefore the industry in Germany have to stop their work, Germany is threatened with an ordeal – with these words the Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck caused a sensation at the weekend. in the Interview with the daily topics he now emphasized that this was not scaremongering. Germany is in a situation where the cards have to be revealed. “It’s the opposite of creating panic. It’s honest politics and honest communication.”

Previously there had been criticism of Habeck’s communication – especially from the Union. Group deputy Jens Spahn told the Bayern media group that a plan was needed in the event that Russia stopped supplying gas. The economy minister’s “daily warnings only add to the uncertainty”.

And ex-Agriculture Minister Julia Klöckner, who is now economic policy spokeswoman for the Union faction, said there was no lack of description of the situation, now it’s a matter of action. “Permanent scaremongering doesn’t help any of us,” said Klöckner in the “Rheinische Post”.

Several measures to reduce consumption

Habeck explained in daily topics-Interview, he has always emphasized that there are a number of ways to counteract a possible bottleneck. These included, for example, reducing general gas consumption, building LNG terminals or starting up coal-fired power plants to reduce gas-fired power generation. “We will also set up an action platform on how industry consumption can be brought down for money,” stressed Habeck. “There are a lot of politically agreed steps that are now taking place.”

The measures have already shown success. So far, gas consumption has been 14 times lower than in the previous year, and “that is the opposite of what Vladimir Putin intends to do.” Habeck also explained that it is important to show solidarity and help within the EU. Germany could benefit from this, for example because other countries already have LNG terminals for ships that Germany has yet to build.

partnership with the Czech Republic

Habeck traveled to the Czech Republic in the morning to discuss the gas crisis. A joint natural gas solidarity agreement was signed with the government in Prague. “We help each other with the gas supply and we will do the same from Germany for the Czech Republic,” said Habeck at his meeting with the Czech Industry and Trade Minister Jozef Sikula.

The Czech Republic is almost completely dependent on Russian gas imports. That is why the country has secured capacities at a future LNG terminal in the Netherlands. Other topics discussed included the future of the automotive industry, the possibility of building a battery factory near Pilsen and the priorities of the current Czech EU Council Presidency.

Traffic light promises help

Representatives of the traffic light coalition have also promised further support from the citizens. “I am very sure that we will get further relief. These are also necessary,” said Green party leader Ricarda Lang. The energy policy spokeswoman for the SPD, Nina Scheer, called for an energy saving bonus. “We want to reward savings again: the energy saving bonus would be an additional incentive for increased savings,” she told the t-online portal.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz also promised further help at a citizens’ dialogue in Lübeck, but without being specific. At the same time, however, he warned that the high prices would not go away anytime soon.