A worker at a gas storage facility in Gronau, Germany. File photoBRUSSELS, Jul 21The idea of the European Commission to force the EU countries to reduce gas consumption is an encroachment on their sovereignty, said Norbert Kleinwechter, deputy of the Bundestag from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The European Commission on Wednesday proposed a new plan to reduce gas demand, which involves the introduction of initially voluntary targets for all EU Member States to reduce gas demand by 15% between August 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. However, if the European Commission, after consultations with the states of the union, announces the so-called «warning of the union» on the security of supply, the reduction in demand for «blue fuel» for all states of the union will become mandatory. What sanctions the Commission will propose to impose on countries that have failed to reduce their consumption is not yet known. Member States are due to consider these proposals on July 26th.France spoke about the risk of gas shortages if Russia cuts off supplies»The EC emergency plan to reduce gas demand … is completely irresponsible … Admittedly, these are only official recommendations for now. However, the fact that the European Commission is again trying to gain more powers is irresponsible. No one asked them about this and did not give them authority to do so,» he told RIA Novosti. The deputy also added that the Alternative for Germany party does not agree with the plan of the European Commission and that it takes responsibility for prioritizing such savings targets, as EU member states have different energy needs.With words about Putin, the Germans put politicians who panicked over gas in their placeAccording to Kleinwechter, the security of supplying citizens is a top priority for state power, and the plan of the European Commission and the large-scale restrictions associated with them for industry and individuals are unacceptable and are a «serious encroachment» on the sovereignty of states union. The «solidarity» that the EU constantly talks about cannot go so far that «economically sensible» EU member states are hurt by those who pursue unreasonable policies, he noted.The media predicted when Poland could run out of gas»All EU member states are required to develop their own plans for a gas emergency. Their governments will also have to take responsibility when, due to wrong policies, industrial plants close and millions of people lose work,» the deputy added. The expert noted that from the very beginning of the crisis, the AfD party warned about the consequences of European sanctions on gas and oil from Russia, emphasizing their harm, primarily for Europe itself.
Experts called the condition under which Europe will have enough gas this winter»Europe needs to return to stable trade in goods and raw materials with Russia, as well as ensure our electricity supply through the use of safe and reliable nuclear energy,» — said he. After the start of the Russian special operation in Ukraine, Western countries began to impose sanctions against the Russian Federation, in particular, on Russian energy residents. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the policy of containing and weakening Russia is a long-term strategy of the West, and the sanctions dealt a serious blow to the entire global economy. Europeans urged to prepare for «winter of discontent»
