“Then you put on a sweater”: Schäuble reprimands Germans in the energy crisis

Created: 10/11/2022 13:01

By: Jens Kiffmeier

Tips for saving energy from Schäuble: Germans should arm themselves for the winter with sweaters and flashlights – instead of making demands on the state.

Berlin – Criticism of the spoiled Germans: In view of the impending blackouts in the energy crisis, Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU) has sworn the Germans to hardship in winter.

With regard to the relief packages worth billions, the former Federal Minister of Finance accused the citizens of being overly demanding.

Instead of always just "moaning", the Germans should simply "put on a sweater" when they are freezing in winter, the Union politician demanded on Tuesday (October 11, 2022).

But the simple tips for saving energy are unlikely to go down well everywhere.

Gas crisis in Germany: Schäuble gives tips for saving energy - sweaters instead of gas price brakes

In doing so, Schäuble was reacting to the ongoing call for relief in the energy crisis.

The day before, the federal government had presented the design of the gas price cap together with a commission of experts.

The traffic light coalition wants to invest around 95 billion euros in order to cushion the high costs for consumers as a result of the Ukraine war.

The two-stage plan provides for a one-off payment to be made to citizens in December and for a reduced basic quota of gas to be subsidized from April 2023.

Suggests wearing sweaters during the gas crisis in Germany: Wolfgang Schäuble (CDU).

© Jens Büttner/epd/imago/dpa/Montage

But from Schäuble's point of view, the Germans should not only rely on the help of politicians.

"If we suggest to people that everything is unlimited, we are overexploiting," warned the former President of the Bundestag in an interview with

.

Unfortunately, many would believe that the state is something that just has to provide more and more to its citizens.

"A kind of supermarket where the citizens are bargain hunters," said Schäuble.

But that is not right and not sustainable.

Gas price brake: Germans should not just rely on the payment of one-off payments

In fact, Germany is heading for a hard winter in the energy crisis.

After Russia stopped gas supplies in the dispute over Western sanctions, energy prices skyrocketed.

The Germans have to compensate for the supply failures by saving energy and the energy suppliers with expensive purchases on the international spot market.

So that the costs do not have to be passed on to end customers, the federal government is countering this with aid programs worth billions.

For the payment of the gas price brake and the three relief packages, more than 250 billion euros have to be made available in the federal budget.

Wolfgang Schäuble: CDU politician recommended wearing a sweater with a view to blackouts

Against this background, Schäuble called for a rethink.

Only low-income households should benefit from the aid from the relief packages.

"You have to tell the others: If you have to, you can't go on a vacation trip," said the Union politician.

When asked if the Germans were spoiled, he told

: "Sure, we all are.

Me too.” But it is important that everyone now understands that things cannot go on like this forever.

"The Germans will have to try harder again."

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Sweaters to save energy – France is leading the way

Wolfgang Schäuble appeals, France is leading the way: In the past week, President Emmanuel Macron and Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire have increasingly appeared in sweaters.

Instead of wearing a shirt and tie, they appeared at official appointments in turtleneck sweaters.

They had previously called on their compatriots to save gas and electricity and simply dress warmly against the cold.

Since then you have underlined your appeal with a different choice of clothes.

This puts Schäuble in line with former Federal President Joachim Gauck.

Months ago, he said that the Germans had to show more solidarity with Ukraine.

For freedom you have to freeze sometimes, Gauck had warned in Sandra Maischberger's ARD program - and thus triggered a small controversy.

In view of the threat of blackouts, which the federal government cannot rule out despite all efforts, it is not unlikely that consumers will be put to the test.

Sweaters, candles, flashlights: Schäuble gives tips on how to save energy during the gas crisis

Of course, the electricity or gas supply could fail in winter, Schäuble also warned.

In this case, by the way, he not only recommended wearing a warm sweater.

"One should," the ex-finance minister gave tips for saving energy in the household, "always have a few candles, matches and a flashlight at home."