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Robert Habeck at BDI Day
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / dpa
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) described the throttling of gas supplies by Russia last week as an economic attack.
The reduction in gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is "an economic attack on us," said Habeck on Tuesday at the conference of the Federal Association of Industry (BDI) in Berlin.
The "attack" is taking place, just as with the previous throttling of deliveries to Poland, Bulgaria or Denmark, according to the pattern "to reduce the quantity, to push up the prices in order to - and that's no coincidence - in To trigger a debate in Europe and in Germany about the hardship and fear that is affecting this country," said Habeck.
A crisis "worse than the corona pandemic"
This should prevent a debate as to whether support for freedom is correct.
»Because of the material hardship, the high inflation, the high energy prices, people are naturally afraid: afraid of poverty, afraid of a loss of prosperity, afraid of not being able to keep what they have built up over a long life«, said Habeck.
The Vice Chancellor warned that this would open up space for populism.
This is no coincidence, but a "strategy," said Habeck.
"This strategy must not succeed," he added.
So it's not just about solidarity with Ukraine.
"It's also about defending our understanding of political culture, an open society, a free market economy." Russia had explained the lower deliveries with a need for repairs, but turbines would be needed that could not be delivered due to sanctions .
At the same time, Habeck emphasized the importance of filling the gas storage tanks.
"If we go into the winter with only half full storage tanks and the gas tap is turned off, then we're talking about a serious economic crisis that will hit Germany," he said.
The economic situation could "get worse than the corona pandemic," warned Habeck.
A "collective debate effort" that includes business and politics is therefore necessary.
beb/Reuters