For Economics Minister Robert Habeck, 2022 was “a year in which Germany woke up – from a state in which some still toyed with preserving the status quo to action.”
In an interview with the “Stern”, the Green politician Robert Habeck said that the Germans had proven themselves in this “year of decisions”. “This country and its democratic institutions have shown an astonishing, almost insane willingness to perform and be creative,” said Habeck.
According to his ministry, in the first 10 months of the legislature alone, House officials brought 27 bills into the cabinet and wrote 32 ordinances, just six fewer than in the entire previous legislature. The pace was accelerated by the multiple crises, said Habeck. “Nevertheless, I believe that democracies are able to learn and change even without the pressure of war.”
The deliveries of weapons to Ukraine are, “as correct as they are, also an impertinence,” Habeck told the “Stern”. The decision was necessary. “I don’t doubt it for a moment,” said the Vice Chancellor. “And yet one cannot applaud that lightly when one realizes that a large number of the 300,000 Russian recruits will be injured or die – also from weapons that we sent. I. The release bears my signature.”
In the spring of 2021, Habeck was one of the first German politicians on a trip to eastern Ukraine to demand arms deliveries for the country.
Like Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz before him, Economics and Climate Minister Robert Habeck also criticized the radical protests of the “Last Generation” group. In a democracy, changes always require a majority. “Forms of protest that annoy people don’t really help. But those who invite,” warned the Green politician. “Here we are witnessing a radicalization of the few. This is bad. Anyone who has to pursue climate policy from a minority position has already lost.”
Asked about the exhaustion that was sometimes written all over his face, the minister replied: “These are serious times. I’m focused.” However, he emphasized: “I’m very one with the job I have.” Of course you lose “neediness and light-heartedness,” Habeck continued. “It’s not happy governing.”
Habeck’s view of the future is nevertheless optimistic. He expects energy prices to level off at just a little above pre-war levels at the end of next year “if things go well”. Inflation “will be around seven percent on average in 2023, but with the prospect that in 2024 there will again be a two before the decimal point”. And when it comes to the share of renewable energies, “if things go well, we’ll break the 50 percent mark”.
