FDP Vice Vogel: "Söder was a big Putin cuddler"

Created: 07/19/2022, 20:23

By: Mike Schier

FDP Vice Johannes Vogel.

(Archive photo) © IMAGO/Revierfoto

FDP Vice Johannes Vogel spoke in an interview with Merkur.de about the gas crisis, the CSU and Corona.

Munich – The traffic light coalition is struggling with the gas crisis.

Among other things, there is a dispute about the lifetime of nuclear power plants.

A conversation with FDP Vice Johannes Vogel (40) about possible compromise lines and allegations from Bavaria.

Mr. Vogel, how would you describe the atmosphere in the coalition: relaxed, tense or over-excited?

Tension arises from the international situation.

In this coalition, three different parties have come together that have neither merged nor married.

This may also become visible as long as we move a lot for the country.

What are you moving?

We have corrected the neglect of the Bundeswehr.

The acceleration in planning for LNG terminals is on an unprecedented scale, and we must now apply this to all infrastructure.

In addition, there is a massive expansion of renewable energies.

Relief while at the same time complying with the debt brake.

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Above all, the debates, such as now about the nuclear power plant runtimes, are noticed.

Wouldn't a deal with a speed limit be a good compromise for all parties?

It's not about political horse trading.

Each party must push the limits of pain when the situation calls for it.

Debt is extremely difficult for us liberals, but we created the Bundeswehr special fund because it was necessary.

The same applies to other parties: In my opinion, the extension of the nuclear power plant term is a building block for the winter.

I can't explain to anyone that, in the worst energy crisis in decades, we are taking three safe and climate-neutral power plants off the grid and preferring to use coal-fired power plants instead.

What's next?

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We need facts.

The Federal Network Agency is doing another stress test with a view to the power supply.

And that must be secured in every worst-case scenario.

But that's not all: we still don't know how many fuel rods are left in which power plant.

I expect a clean and transparent inventory from the Economics and Energy Minister.

Sorry, you should have done that half a year ago.

The question now is whether we can fill the gas storage tanks.

And that's why we need answers now.

The sooner and more focused we act, the less we are in the hands of Vladimir Putin.

We need clarity in the summer.

The CSU struggles with the effect of the sanctions.

Do you understand the reasoning?

no

The CSU should rather ask itself what responsibility it bears for the fact that we went into this conflict so poorly prepared: The Bundeswehr is disastrously equipped.

Dependence on Russian gas grew under Angela Merkel from around 30 to over 55 percent.

Markus Söder was a big Putin cuddler for a long time and even wanted to buy the propaganda vaccine Sputnik.

I find it fatal that the CSU is now the first to touch the unity of the West.

Objection: The first were Linke and AfD.

(laughs) Let's say: the first on the democratic spectrum.

I'm used to Söder changing his beliefs like underpants.

But the situation is too serious.

Putin is testing the West's ability to act.

We have to stand there.

What do you actually say from a "North German" point of view to Markus Söder's allegations that the traffic light would systematically disadvantage the south?

First of all, I'm from North Rhine-Westphalia (laughs).

Secondly, Markus Söder is only building this slander on the fact that the traffic light checks the allocation of subsidies nationwide.

So the accusation is nonsense, just like much else that Söder is claiming right now.

Another important topic of autumn is Corona.

The FDP is trying to protect its profile.

Now, however, Karl Lauterbach seems to be gaining ground.

It's not about enforcement, it's about dealing with the pandemic appropriately.

Restrictions on fundamental rights must be effective and proportionate.

The FDP rightly insists on this and continues to do so.

At the same time, it is clear that we must not stumble into winter as unprepared as we have been in the past two years.

Your parliamentary group leader Dürr suddenly says that you also have to wear a mask because of the flu.

That means that in future we will have to wear masks indoors every winter.

No, Christian Dürr didn't say that.

Our goal must be to find our way out of the pandemic and not walk around with a mask every winter in the future.

The yardstick for measures can only be: Is the health system in danger of being overwhelmed?

Of course, it plays a role what other challenges there are this winter, but the triggering factor is and must be Corona.

Let's just wait and see what the government's proposals are.

Interview: Mike Schier