German Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) has put German citizens through a long period of deprivation due to rising prices as a result of the war in Ukraine.
“My concern is that we could have a very worrying situation in a few weeks and months,” Lindner said yesterday in ZDF’s “heute journal”. “It’s about three to four, maybe five years of scarcity. And we have to find an answer to that.”
He added: “There is a risk of a very serious economic crisis due to rising energy prices, due to supply chain problems, also due to inflation.”
Therefore, it is necessary to talk about all options, including extended operating periods for the three nuclear plants in Germany that are still operational.
Habeck also warns
German Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) had already found words of warning. The economic situation due to Russia’s lack of energy supplies could get even worse than the coronavirus pandemic, in which the economy slumped in 2020 more than in more than a decade. Charges on the economy are possible for months. It is about the existence of companies, according to Habeck.
The gas storage facilities are still not full enough, only about 60%. If Germany enters winter with half-full storage facilities, there is a risk of a serious economic crisis.
“Economic Attack”
Russia’s reduced gas supply is an “economic attack on us”. This has a different dimension than before, said the vice chancellor in Berlin on Industry Day. “The pattern is recognizable.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly wanted to stir up fears, including poverty. The amount of gas is being reduced to drive up prices. “This strategy should not be successful.” It is also conceivable that Putin could fuel food shortages, especially wheat.
Reports on the next stage of the gas emergency plan
The newspaper “Welt” had previously reported that Germany was preparing to declare the alarm level of the national gas emergency plan: it would be the second stage of a three-stage plan.
Federal Ministry of Economy and Climate Protection (BMWK) Secretary of State Patrick Graichen prepared the energy sector for the next step yesterday, Welt reported yesterday, citing energy circles. The ministry declined to confirm this and referred to the legal regulations to which the emergency plan is subject.