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German Economy Minister Robert Habeck is sounding the alarm about the risk of a shortage of Russian gas in Germany next winter and the consequences catastrophic that it would have on the country.
If Russian gas supplies remain low, German industry could suffer a major shock, warns Robert Habeck. ” Certain industrial sectors would have to be closed (…) All market economy processes would then be suspended. For some sectors, it would be catastrophic. We are not talking about two days or two weeks, but about a long period. We are talking here about people who would be unemployed, regions that would lose entire industrial complexes “, he detailed in an interview with the large weekly The mirror.
It will be necessary to make very difficult choices of society for households and businesses if Russian deliveries decline further, Economy Minister Robert Habeck warned on Friday. ” We are already in a situation where Germany has never been. Just if Russian gas supplies remain as low as they are now, we are running into gas shortages. “, warned the minister and vice-chancellor, adding that “ it will be just this winter anyway. »
« Alert level »
Since the Russian giant Gazprom drastically reduced supplies via the Nord Stream gas pipeline by 60%, Germany has been in great difficulty. To run the country, the state buys 35% of its gas needs – against 55% before the war in Ukraine – from Russia. A situation that forced the government to activate the alert level »an emergency plan that provides for state intervention to support market players in the face of high prices.
15 billion euros have been released to buy gas elsewhere. The government also announced a increased use of coal-fired power plants to generate electricity. The debate on the use of nuclear power is also revived even if the ruling coalition is opposed to it.
Also in this interview, the minister considers that this is part of Vladimir Putin’s strategy. Berlin also fears that Russia will completely cut off this supply route. And according to the scenarios of the Federal Network Agency, the gas shortage would occur as soon as mid-december » in the event of a total stoppage of Russian deliveries.