Brandenburg’s government of SPD, CDU and Greens is arguing about how to deal with impending energy shortages in winter and rising energy prices. Finance Minister Katrin Lange (SPD) contradicts the latest energy saving advice from her cabinet colleague Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens).
“Shower and dressing tips are not appropriate,” Lange told the Tagesspiegel. “The priority must be to prevent an emergency from occurring in the first place. That is the job of politics.” That is where the federal government comes into play.
“Prices cannot continue as they have been, nor should there be supply restrictions – because that would mean scenarios that we only knew from developing countries before,” said Lange.Nonnemacher, also Minister for Social Affairs, had called for energy saving, using a personal example . “When Russia invaded Ukraine, we immediately turned the heating down again and lowered the hot water temperatures,” she said. “Full baths are completely out of fashion here.”
She also takes a quick shower – “but not because we can’t afford it, but because we as Greens see a clear mandate there for everyone to do their utmost to save energy.” possible cracks and corners” pulled, was insulated.
She called for “challenging standards, but with a social eye.” Means? “It’s reasonable to have an apartment where you don’t walk around in a T-shirt in December. Older fellow citizens also got to know other realities there.”
Lange, on the other hand, has to think of Thilo Sarrazin with such statements, who recommended “warm sweaters” against rising heating costs – and got a shitstorm. “Now what is needed is no longer a pleasant policy of renunciation, but more sensible energy policy,” said Lange. “To do this, all options must be on the table. There shouldn’t be any taboos.”
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What that means? According to his own statements, Lange would be in favor of “allowing nuclear power plants to run a little longer in Germany.” This position, which is represented by the heads of government Markus Söder (Bavaria, CSU) and Michael Kretschmer (Saxony, CDU), has been taken by Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke ( SPD) recently strictly rejected.
Woidke, Lange and SPD Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach agree that two blocks of the Jänschwalde lignite-fired power plant operated by the energy company LEAG should go back into operation. “Both blocks have to be connected to the grid again, and as quickly as possible,” said Lange. “We need the lignite power.”
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But the Energy Security Act passed by the Bundestag last week is not sufficient to allow these blocks to be ramped up. The federal government states that an “exemption permit” can be granted by the state. The Ministry of the Environment under Minister Axel Vogel (Greens) is responsible for this.
According to the house, LEAG has not yet submitted an application for an exception. This is politically sensitive for the Greens, since Jänschwalde is one of the power plants with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in Europe. It is also striking that not only Nonnemacher, but also SPD Minister Steinbach is trying to get the population in the mood for hardship.
“There will be personal restrictions that will still be felt in the coming year. It would be wrong to raise other hopes,” said Steinbach in a MAZ interview.
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The left opposition accuses the Woidke government of inaction. From Nonnemacher and Steinbach came “only truisms, precocious recommendations and warm words,” said parliamentary group leader Sebastian Walter. “But these will not heat an apartment.”
With her shower recommendation, Social Affairs Minister Nonnemacher only proves one thing, namely “how far away she is from the reality of many people in Brandenburg.” Specifically, the left calls for a hardship protection umbrella for those affected based on the Berlin model – so far in vain.
