The concerned question has been on people’s minds since Vladimir Putin sparked a war and conflict with the West, including the EU. What to do when the unpredictable turns off the gas tap? Austria is particularly affected. 80 percent comes from Putin’s empire. Gazprom delivered about half as much gas to Austria on Sunday as usual. The inflation crisis thus takes on a new dimension.
“Small Crisis Cabinet” on Sunday evening. Convened by Chancellor Karl Nehammer, Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Economic Affairs Minister Martin Kocher (ÖVP) were present. What’s next? In addition to the conversion of the Mellach power station in Styria, other measures were presented.
In concrete terms, up to 6.6 billion euros is available for the purchase of strategic gas reserves. The gas diversification law supports the purchase of non-Russian gas up to 100 million euros. In addition, there is support for industry that exchanges gas for other energy sources. And the domestic industry can store gas itself.
“Austria without a plan”
According to Gewessler, the Austrian storage facilities are about 40 percent full. Germany stands at 56.3, neighboring Czechia at 70.5, the EU average is 52.4. So bleak prospects for red-white-red. Nevertheless, the cabinet points out that the EU is in second place behind Latvia when it comes to storage compared to the previous year.
Yet there is heavy criticism. In addition to the opposition, Franz Schellhorn of Agenda Austria also says: “Austria is stumbling haphazardly through the gas crisis.” Why would a gas embargo hit the Austrian economy much harder? At best, according to the agenda, there will be an emergency shutdown, at worst you slide into a deep recession.
Ask for a courageous solidarity
Greenpeace boss Alex Egit is calling for a national, courageous solidarity and strategy, where in the end there can only be: “Get off Russian gas!” The activist also believes that Austria will face an economic and social catastrophe if Russia’s gas supply is interrupted. Countries, municipalities, companies and households must immediately and jointly use all possibilities to reduce dependence.
Despite the emergency measures, the government will continue to be accused of inaction. Even though dependence on Russia started long before that.
Source: Krone
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