The President of the European Commission, Ursula Von der Leyen, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. /
The President of the European Commission urges EU countries to prepare for an upcoming total gas cut-off from Russia
In the midst of escalating prices and with a rampant energy crisis, the worst is yet to come. It was the message that the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, hinted at on Wednesday, warning the Twenty-seven that “we must prepare for more interruptions in the supply of gas, including a total cut-off by Russia.” Given the fears, France decided to make a move by announcing the French Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, the Government’s intention to completely nationalize the multinational electricity company EDF.
“I confirm that the State plans to control one hundred percent of EDF’s capital,” Borne said during a speech at the National Assembly. The Executive, which already owns 83.88% of the capital of said company, intends to strengthen the country’s energy independence in the face of the current shortage.
The president of the European Commission, in her speech this Wednesday before the plenary session of the European Parliament gathered in the French city of Strasbourg, pointed out that “it is obvious that the -Russian president- Vladimir Putin continues to use energy as a weapon” and as evidence He recalled that a dozen countries in the club already suffer total or partial gas cuts. Bulgaria, Finland and Poland, for example, find their supplies completely interrupted while Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria are receiving less than they need. To try to alleviate the serious crisis, the German power has already had to reactivate coal plants and in cities like Hamburg, local politicians are already proposing the rationing of hot water.
Von der Leyen, although he described as “good” that European governments are already preparing national contingency plans, defended the need for “coordinated and common action” in the EU. “We must ensure that in the event of a total interruption, gas will continue to flow to where it is most needed,” he said, immediately appealing for “European solidarity” and urging to “protect” the single market and industry supply chains.
In her speech, the head of the Community Executive asked the Member States not to forget “the bitter lesson” of the first months of the pandemic, when the “selfishness and protectionism” of some countries led to scenes of blockade and lack of coordination in the EU. “Unity will lead us to success,” she insisted.
“Emergency plan”
Despite the harshness of the energy crisis, Von der Leyen wanted to send a reassuring message by explaining that “in mid-July” he will present a proposal to establish a “European emergency plan.” Likewise, an extraordinary meeting of the EU energy ministers has been called for the 26th to examine the Brussels initiative and the national plans of each country.
In his view, it is more urgent than ever to “really invest in renewable energies” so as “not to make Putin richer” and because they are “cleaner and more cost-efficient” alternatives. The Czech Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, said the same thing this Wednesday before the European Parliament, noting that “strengthening alternative energy sources” will be one of the tasks of his six-monthly presidency of the European Council to “combat inflation, high prices of energy and amortize the impact on our citizens”.
themes
Vladimir Putin, European Commission, European Union (EU), Germany, Austria, Brussels, Strasbourg, Hamburg, Holland, Italy, Crisis in Ukraine