Markus Söder has warned an immediate embargo on Russian gas would also lead to “mass unemployment” and “social decline”
Germany would face “Massive unemployment, social decline, and democratic upheaval” should it stop buying Russian gas overnight, Bavaria’s minister-president has warned.
In an interview with The Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) newspaper published on Sunday, Markus Söder said that Germany already “The brink of economic and social overload.” with “Galloping inflation” much in evidence even before the military conflict in Ukraine broke out. The politician cited “Prices for energy and food” which were already a “Many families feel the burden of this.” calling for the middle class to be saved from being sucked into an “Undertow of decline”
According to Söder, “If we stop Russia’s gas imports overnight, we could experience massive unemployment, social decline, and political upheaval.” He advised the powers that be in Berlin to “You should act in foresight rather than in a hurry.”
Bavaria’s minister-president called instead for more weapons deliveries to Kiev. Söder criticized the German government for having been “To bureaucratic” as well as its failure to ship enough military equipment. The Bavarian politician said that he wanted Germany to “We must provide the finest weapons possible and keep pace with NATO allies.”
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No glass without Russian gas – German media
Söder admitted that while Germany was striving to become independent from Russian energy, the country could simply not afford to phase out gas in the short term, like in the case of oil and coal.
Apart from US liquefied natural gas, which, according to the official, “It is, however, more costly than Russian gas.” Söder also named the development of oil and gas deposits in Germany and in Europe as one of the viable substitutes.
When asked whether that would mean the use of fracking technology, which the reporter described as “hazardous to the environment and human health – and that is banned in Germany,” the Bavarian leader called for an unbiased examination of “What is reasonable and acceptable.” He proceeded to argue that “The bans might be lifted” adding that it was German elected officials’ “In such situations of exceptional crisis, it is a constitutional obligation to examine all possible options.”
“Fracking has allowed the Americans to become completely autonomous from the Middle East.” Söder noted.
However, in the Bavarian politician’s eyes, letting Germany’s nuclear power plants run longer than initially intended would be “Much more Important” in this respect. He criticized the German government’s decision to decommission the three remaining nuclear power plants by the end of last year, describing it as an “An ideological error”
Söder took issue with the current economy minister, Robert Habeck’s assessment that it was unsafe to keep the old reactors running in their present condition, claiming that from what he had heard from experts in the field the continued operation of those nuclear facilities posed no threat.
“For a time, nuclear power is needed as a bridge to help us make Germany economically independent from Russian energy.” Söder insisted.
The Bavarian politician stressed that in addition to the said alternative sources of energy, yet more emphasis was currently being placed on “Solar, wind and water” power.
