It is not yet clear how bad it will be. One thing is clear: the signs for autumn and winter point to a crisis. When in doubt, nobody will be able to avoid a gas shortage. Politically, it is now a matter of preventing as much damage as possible from Germany. Everyone has to make a contribution, private individuals as well as politics and business.
But instead of setting a good example, the traffic light parties and their social camps are retreating into their respective trenches on the subjects of speed limits and nuclear power plant runtime extensions. And they accuse themselves of the same fact: they are sticking to old principles for purely ideological reasons!
The result: the almost unbearable exchange of always the same arguments. A speed limit not only increases road safety, but also saves energy, say the eco-friendly. The liberal camp, on the other hand, warns against undermining freedom – after all, freedom also means being able to make unreasonable decisions.
When it comes to nuclear power, on the other hand, the pro argument is that an extension of the service life would reduce dependence on gas, which is also used to generate electricity in Germany. The opposing answer is to be expected: nuclear waste and security concerns.
So time is running out, and Germany is not making any headway when it comes to the question of how the possible consequences of a gas shortage can be cushioned. Instead, the Greens and FDP in particular continue to revolve around the one question: How should they teach their supporters that they might be giving up a core position that creates their identity?
The answer would be so simple and the solution obvious: by being able to announce success in return. So how about this: The Greens get the speed limit and the Liberals get the lifetime extension of the nuclear power plants in return. Two advantages for security of supply, plus a desirable side effect - the government is showing how cooperation works.
