Donald Trump once said that Germany is a prisoner of Russia. In the energy crisis, other countries have to foot the bill.
Madrid – “I didn’t believe in change through trade, but in connection through trade, with the second largest nuclear power in the world,” said ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel once about her Russia policy and the construction of Nord Stream 2. Ex -US President Donald Trump said one thing: “Germany is a prisoner of Russia.”
The fact is: During her term in office, the former Chancellor reversed the energy transition to renewable raw materials that had been initiated by the Red-Green Party under Gerhard Schröder.
Merkel made Germany dependent on Russia
At the same time, Germany became dependent on Russian gas during the tenure and did not build terminals for liquid gas – the same did Markus Söder in Bavaria. These are the main reasons why the Federal Republic is now deep in the energy crisis after the start of the Ukraine war and the economic sanctions imposed on Russia.
Ironically, Spain now wants or has to sweat for Germany. The government has passed a comprehensive package of energy-saving measures to further reduce dependence on Russian gas. The measures apply to shops, cultural institutions and the transport sector, including airports and train stations, as Environment Minister Teresa Ribera said on Monday evening (August 1) after a cabinet meeting.
Spain has to sweat because of Merkel and Germany
Everywhere there should only be heated to a maximum of 19 degrees in winter and not cooled below 27 degrees in summer. Shop windows should no longer be illuminated after closing time and the lights in public buildings should be switched off when they are not in use. In the private sector, workers are encouraged to be mobile or work from home whenever possible and when it saves energy. The measures should take effect within a week.
Spain is now following the gas emergency plan recently adopted by the EU. This stipulates that the member countries will each save 15 percent of gas on a voluntary basis from August to the end of March – compared to the average of the past five years of this period. Germany wants to save as much gas as possible. (mse)
