The President of the European Commission urges EU countries to prepare for an upcoming total gas shutdown from Russia
Amid rising prices and with a rampant energy crisis, the worst is yet to come. It was the message that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen alluded to on Wednesday, warning the twenty-seven that “we must prepare for more gas supply disruptions, including a total shutdown by Russia.” France took a step by announcing French Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne, that the government intends to completely nationalize the multinational electricity company EDF.
“I confirm that the state intends to control 100 percent of EDF’s capital,” Borne said during a speech at the National Assembly. The Executive, who already owns 83.88% of the company’s capital, plans to bolster the country’s energy independence in the face of the current deficit.
In her speech this Wednesday before the plenary session of the European Parliament in the French city of Strasbourg, the President of the European Commission pointed out that “it is clear that the -Russian President- Vladimir Putin continues to use energy as a weapon” and recalled as evidence He points out that a dozen countries in the club are already suffering from full or partial gas cuts. Bulgaria, Finland and Poland, for example, find that their supplies are completely interrupted, while Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria receive less than they need. To try to alleviate the severe crisis, German power has already had to reactivate coal-fired power stations, and in cities like Hamburg, local politicians are already proposing the rationing of hot water.
Von der Leyen, while describing as “good” that European governments are already preparing national contingency plans, defended the need for “coordinated and common action” in the EU. “We must ensure that in the event of a total interruption, gas continues to flow to where it is most needed,” he said, immediately appealing to “European solidarity” and insisting on “protecting” the internal market and the industry supply chains.
In her speech, the head of the Community Executive asked member states not to forget “the bitter lesson” of the early months of the pandemic, when the “selfishness and protectionism” of some countries led to scenes of blockade and lack of coordination in the European Union. “Unity will lead us to success,” he insisted.
Despite the severity of the energy crisis, von der Leyen wanted to send a reassuring message by explaining that he will present a proposal “in mid-July” to prepare a “European emergency plan”. Similarly, on the 26th, an extraordinary meeting of EU energy ministers was convened to discuss the Brussels initiative and each country’s national plans.
According to him, it is more urgent than ever to “really invest in renewable energy” in order not to “make Putin richer” and because they are “cleaner and more cost-efficient” alternatives. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the same before the European Parliament on Wednesday, noting that “strengthening alternative energy sources” will be one of the tasks of his six-monthly presidency of the European Council to “fight inflation, high energy prices and write off the impact on our citizens”.
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
