Economics Minister Habeck speaks to hundreds of citizens in Bayreuth about the war and the energy crisis. While the Green Party describes the struggle for Russian gas supplies as a “farce,” a loud minority calls him a “warmonger.”
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has accused Russia of lying in the dispute over a turbine for the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline. The Green politician spoke of a “farce” at a citizens’ dialogue in Bayreuth. The turbine serviced in Canada has been in Germany since last Monday. All the papers were there, he had them in his own hands. But Russia refuses to bring the turbine into its own country. “They lie to your face”.
During his appearance in Bayreuth, the minister had to speak against loud whistles and boos. Many citizens called out to Habeck: “Get lost”. The Green politician was described as a “warmonger” on posters. Overall, the protesters were in the minority at the citizens’ dialogue, which was estimated to be several hundred participants.
According to the Kremlin, Russia is hoping for a speedy return of the repaired gas turbine in view of the throttled gas supplies through the Nord Stream 1 Baltic Sea pipeline to Germany. The turbine will then be installed in the Portovaya gas compressor station, after which work can begin to restart it, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. According to the Russian energy company Gazprom, the turbine is important in order to build up the necessary pressure for pumping the gas.
Gazprom has repeatedly accused its contractual partner Siemens Energy of not having sent the necessary documents and information to repair the machine. Siemens Energy rejected Gazprom’s allegations on Wednesday evening. Gazprom reduced deliveries through Nord Stream 1 to 20 percent of maximum capacity on Wednesday because, according to the company, one turbine still had to be serviced. Technical safety regulations were given as reasons.
In Bayreuth, Habeck defended the course of the federal government and promoted exchange and dialogue. Referring to the sharp rise in energy prices, he said the root was the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.
