STORY: Note: This post will be broadcast without narration. O-ton Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens): “This step has become necessary because the situation has changed significantly since the announcement by the Federal Chancellor on July 22nd, even worsened. Since September 1st, no more gas has flowed through Nord Stream 1 .” – SCHNITT – “Uniper has a 50 percent share in its portfolio from Russian gas and represents 40 percent of German gas supply. All of this together forced action. After a market analysis and examination of alternatives, we made the decision, as just described, to ensure security of supply for Germany.” – SCHNITT – “Since the beginning of September, the nationalization of Uniper has naturally raised the question of whether levying a surcharge for a state-owned company is constitutional. This question has been and will be intensively investigated. This question should be viewed independently of how the gas surcharge is now assessed The gas levy is a bridge until this question has been finally clarified and I already said that it will take at least three months or around three months until what I have just said is implemented has become legally compliant. The gas surcharge will therefore come as a bridge from October 1, necessary to ensure Uniper’s financial solidity.”