Europe’s descent into an economic contraction looks to have been confirmed with Russia squeezing natural gas supplies to the region and heavy industry facing tough rationing in the coming months.
Just days after Europeans breathed a sigh of relief as Russian gas giant Gazprom announced it would resume supplies through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline, it then announced Monday that flows would be reduced yet again.
The announcement, with Gazprom saying it would be for maintenance of a turbine along the pipeline, was greeted with incredulity and condemnation in Europe.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the move — which will see flows to Germany fall to 20% of its capacity from an already low level of 40% — was tantamount to a “gas war” with Europe. Germany’s economy minister, Robert Habeck, said the excuse that maintenance was the reason for the supply cut was a “farce.”
It puts Europe in a tricky situation as it contends with rampant inflation, the war in Ukraine and an already troubled supply chain following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Germany, the region’s largest economy and traditional growth driver, has a particular reason to worry. It’s largely reliant on Russian gas and is sliding toward a recession. The government is particularly concerned about how it will keep the lights on over the winter: Habeck said Monday evening that “we have a serious situation. It is time for everyone to understand that,” during an interview with broadcaster ARD.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Trump was 100% right.
Trump was right.
Of course, the people starving and freezing their own population will forever view his blunt objectivity as offensive. Better to die (or cause the deaths of those you’re ruling) than offend anyone.
The nuclear plants can only replace a fraction of what is needed, but they definitely should be restarted ASAP.
Takes quite a while to fire up nukes that have been mothballed.
Many months , won’t be ready in time for winter.
Coal plants are quicker , if you can get the coal to the front door.
Not everybody played the stupid game, but everybody is winning a stupid prize.
Job loss, hunger, cold Bratwurst and Muscheln.
But then the civil “unrest” starts and gives the Polizei overtime pay while busting dumme kopfe.
“..Play stupid games, win stupid prizes…”
And that right there is the Crux of this entire shit-show.
The EU with Germany Leading has for 70 Years been:
ANTI NUCLEAR
ANTI US
Full on CLIMATE CHANGE – Wind/Solar – Shutting down COAL – Kissing Greta’s ass
Have fun this winter kiddies.
Sucks to be them, but in the end, I really could give a shit.
In the last paragraph of the 2nd link above is the final shrug of the shoulders…
“And even if there are people who make a case for nuclear for climate protection reasons, the exit has now proceeded too far to be reversed, and there is simply no influential political power that would consider re-opening the painful, decade-long debate on nuclear power that has finally been put to rest.”
Until people are being frozen to death in their homes, it’s too late. Then the recourse is of course to take their anger out on those who imposed this, and then to sleep in the warm gov’t buildings.
(polite applause)
The only good thing about this is the people are getting what they voted for. They didn’t learn anything from a century of socialist history.
But, “free-stuff”. Just wait, they’ll deliver it some day like they promised. Just keep voting for “free-stuff”.
(sarc.)
It’s been a slow roll to ruin.
Exactly
Europeans voted for this, they can live with it.
Suggest Europeans wear jackets inside this winter when they can’t heat their homes.
Germany is presently effectively at war with Russia and they’re mad because the country they are fighting a proxy war with is cutting off their natural gas. The level of dissonance is stunning.
The Russian economy is so bad that they don’t even need Europe’s money.
“The announcement […] was greeted with incredulity and condemnation”.
When that is all you got.
And they still won’t start their nukes.
ZERO SYMPATHY.