BW Minister Declares Support For German Ban On Russian Energy Imports, Says Germans Can Survive A 15°C Winter If “People Are Dying Elsewhere”

Peter Hauk, Baden-Württemberg Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Protection, has declared his support for Germany’s plan to ban energy imports from Russia in response to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

RT quoted Hauk saying that “you can withstand 15 degrees [Celsius] in winter in a sweater. No one dies of it. But people are dying elsewhere.”

This follows German Vice Chancellor and Economic Minister Robert Habeck’s announcement that the country was cutting its dependence on Russian energy imports sooner than expected. At a news conference on Friday, Habeck shared a progress report that showed that Germany will be slashing Russian oil imports by half by the middle of summer, and almost completely by the end of the year. Coal imports meanwhile will be cut by half in the coming weeks, and its estimated that the country could be free of Russian gas by mid-2024.

“We have made intensive efforts in recent weeks, together with all relevant stakeholders, to import less fossil energy from Russia and broaden the supply base,” Habeck said. “Every supply contract that is terminated hurts Putin.”

Hauk’s sweater comment, however, prompted a strong response from the German Tenants’ Association according to RT. The association allegedly claimed that the comment shows a lack of understanding of the needs of the elderly or those who are working from home. 

AfD Federal Spokesman Tino Chrupalla said in a Tweet that it’s easy for Hauk, who’s been a member of parliament for 30 years, to say that people can survive a 15°C winter in a sweater when he can heat up his house as warmly as he wants.

It’s unclear whether Hauk meant his comment literally, as it directly references the impact, particularly the human casualties, of the war in Ukraine. 

According to the RT report, the German Tenants’ Association agreed that Europe needs to cut the cord on Russian energy imports but warned that “lowering the room temperature and relying instead on wearing more clothing could lead to people falling ill during the winter months.”

Habeck meanwhile recognized that there’s no shortcut to ending Germany’s reliance on Russian energy.

“We still have a long way to go, and we will only be able to bid farewell to Russian gas with a joint show of strength — the federal government, the states, local authorities, companies and private households together,” he said.


Information for this briefing was found via Reuters and the companies mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.

Video Articles

When 4% of Global Copper Disappears Overnight | David Gower – Emerita Resources

Mining M&A: Gold X2 Acquires Kesselrun Resources

They Said Oil Was Dead. They Were Wrong. | Michael Judson – Record Resources

Recommended

Military Seizes Power in Madagascar After President Flees

Altamira Gold Hits 395.5 Metres Of 0.4 g/t Gold At Maria Bonita

Related News

Germany Will Have No Choice But To Allow Russian Uranium Shipment

The German government’s hands are tied and it has no choice but to permit the...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022, 12:51:00 PM

German Parliament to Vote on Overturning EU Combustion Engine Phase-Out

Sahra Wagenknecht, a member of the German Parliament and chairwoman of the Left Party alliance,...

Friday, April 26, 2024, 11:36:00 AM

India Using Asian Currencies Instead of Dollar to Buy Russia’s Coal

The West’s campaign in choking Russia’s economy from the rest of the world appears to...

Sunday, August 14, 2022, 11:04:00 AM

European Natural Gas Soars After Ukraine Invasion; LNG-Related Investments Seem a Good Bet On Rising European Demand

European natural gas prices soared just over 50% on February 24 in response to Russian...

Sunday, February 27, 2022, 09:00:00 AM

Seymour Hersh: Washington is Attempting to ‘Cover Up’ Involvement in Nord Stream Explosion

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh alleges that Washington is deliberately covering up its role in...

Thursday, March 23, 2023, 02:45:00 PM