German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that Germany has the energy crisis «under control» for the winter months and said that energy security is largely guaranteed.
Scholz has indicated that the gas deposits are completely full and has listed a series of measures adopted to alleviate the lack of Russian gas, such as the installation of new liquefied natural gas terminals and the start-up of coal-fired power stations, among others.
Thus, he stated that Berlin «has changed its course» and clarified that households and companies are using energy in moderation, «This is still very important, especially in view of next year and 2023», he pointed out before clarifying that the government cannot fully subsidize the rise in energy prices.
However, he stressed that the authorities are «reducing the price to tolerable levels». «The value-added tax on gas and heating will be lowered,» he added.
Scholz has indicated that conditions have been set to curb the increase in prices of energy products, an issue that will come into force on March 1. In this way, payments for January and February bills will be assumed retroactively.
In addition, he emphasized Germany’s role in the framework of European policy and mentioned the progress made towards a «common defense». «This Federal Government has formulated clear ideas on the future of Europe, something that French President Emmanuel Macron and others have had to wait for years,» he said.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a sharp rise in energy prices across Europe, where different governments are struggling to find alternatives to Russian gas. Germany has been particularly hard hit because of its heavy dependence on Russian fuel.
