"Habeck's goals are crazy": Lanz guest warns of energy problem - Trittin scoffs at Bavaria
Created: 12/07/2022 10:58 am
Markus Lanz and Jürgen Trittin, B'90/Greens, foreign policy spokesman for the Greens in the Bundestag.
© Cornelia Lehmann/ZDF
How can Germany make itself more independent of countries like Russia and China?
“Markus Lanz” discusses possible solutions.
Hamburg – For Germany, the Ukraine war also means an energy crisis: After the sanctions against Russia, an important gas supplier for Germany broke away.
Green veteran Jürgen Trittin admits to "Markus Lanz" that the federal government has accepted expensive alternatives.
"I wouldn't blame her for that," adds the Green politician.
After all, it was a matter of ensuring the energy supply.
Trittin's criticism is aimed at the past - at Angela Merkel's cabinet, which previously accepted dependence on Russia.
To ensure that Germany does not find itself in such a situation again in the future, the member of the Bundestag calls for a broader selection of energy suppliers.
Trittin, on the other hand, does not consider fracking to be the ideal solution – although the rest of the group sees this option mostly positively.
The 68-year-old warns against "overstepping".
"There will be a lot of resistance," he says.
People didn't want fracking in their immediate vicinity.
Moderator Markus Lanz criticizes German double standards.
After all, fracked gas from the USA is gratefully accepted.
Namibia deal is viewed critically
In the future, however, Germany should also receive green hydrogen from Namibia.
Economics Minister Robert Habeck (also from the Greens) therefore paid a visit to the Africans.
Trittin is convinced that the deal primarily benefits Namibia because it enhances the country as a business location.
Germany, on the other hand, only benefits to a small extent.
This thesis is supported by the other guests on the show.
Lanz digs deeper and asks why such an "energy-hungry" country as Germany then makes use of such a small partnership.
Handelsblatt
journalist Kathrin Witsch sees Namibia as one of many partners in the energy supply, which also has a lot of wind power.
Germany needs these partners for the energy transition because: "We don't have enough space for all the wind turbines."
The Pioneer
editor-in-chief Michael Bröcker also believes that the federal government has miscalculated with its wind power plans.
“The goals that Robert Habeck named are insane.
They only work if we dramatically cut back on instances.” The graduate political scientist therefore calls for rapid debureaucratization.
Trittin found cause for a little mockery: In Bavaria last year, a total of six wind turbines were set up.
Only recently had the Free State changed its course in this regard.
"Markus Lanz": How rough can the tone be with China?
China has become Germany's most important trading partner.
Trittin sees future cooperation with Beijing as a tightrope walk.
"We're talking about a complicated operation." However, military expert Sönke Neitzel believes there is no alternative to limiting German-Chinese cooperation.
Germany finally saw from the example of Russia how much too great an economic dependency can fall on its feet.
"The mistake must not happen to us again," demands the military expert.
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"Markus Lanz" - these were his guests on December 6th
Jürgen Trittin
– B'90/Greens, foreign policy spokesman for the Greens in the Bundestag
Kathrin Witsch
– Editor at
Handelsblatt
Michael Bröcker
– Editor-in-Chief of
The Pioneer
Sönke Neitzel
– military expert
Bröcker also sees the tougher stance on China positively.
In his eyes, the federal government is acting in an exemplary manner if it no longer accepts liability for German companies.
"Politicians must set the goals," says Bröcker.
Trittin on Bundeswehr investment: "I have doubts that they are sufficient"
In order to be able to deal with military conflicts on an equal footing, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised a "turning point" in the Bundeswehr.
100 billion euros should be invested immediately.
Is this sum too high?
On the contrary, says Trittin.
"I have doubts they will be enough."
Neitzel believes that politicians are ignoring the seriousness of the situation.
In his opinion, the Bundeswehr is about to be re-established because many reforms have been overslept in the past.
He certifies that the armed forces are "not fit for war".
The military must act as a deterrent in order to be able to efficiently defend its own people and alliances.
Overall, Neitzel is hoping for more courage from the federal government, which after its term in office will primarily be measured by its crisis management.
"But there are also times when you can become a hero."
"Markus Lanz" - The conclusion of the show
German politics is under pressure.
In the past, too many omissions have been accepted in terms of energy dependency, China cooperation and military supplies.
Lanz' guests have praise ready for the commitment of the traffic light coalition.
After all, the ministers could not be held responsible for the mistakes of their predecessors.
Nevertheless, the processes would have to be accelerated, for example by reducing bureaucracy, so that the ambitious goals can be achieved in a timely manner.
(Kevin Richau)
