In his own words, Chancellor Olaf Scholz expects that Germany’s gas supply will also be secured in the winter of 2023/24. “We can assume that, like this year, if nothing unforeseen happens,” said the SPD politician of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung” (Saturday). For the winter of 2022/23, Scholz had repeatedly assured that there would probably be no shortage.
More on the subject: Germany heats up too much – if it stays that cold, the gas storage tanks quickly fall into the critical range
The Chancellor announced that he intends to press ahead with the construction of new LNG terminals in the coming year. And he hopes for further supply contracts. “The federal government is in constant contact with the gas importers and is also promoting the conclusion of long-term contracts,” he said. Most of the gas will come from Norway, the United States and the Gulf region, with a small portion from the Netherlands.
Also read: No competition law concerns – EU Commission approves Uniper takeover by the federal government
Scholz will open the first floating terminal for liquefied natural gas (LNG) on Saturday together with Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner in Wilhelmshaven, Lower Saxony. Others are being built in Brunsbüttel (Schleswig-Holstein), Stade (Lower Saxony) and Lubmin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). They are intended to help fill the gas supply gap that has arisen as a result of the extensive halt to Russian gas supplies to Germany. Before the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Germany got about 55 percent of its gas from Russia.
Remaining leave only becomes statute-barred under special conditions – the Federal Labor Court will most likely decide that. Employees can therefore have years of claims paid out.
The RS virus, which can cause severe pneumonia in children, is putting Germany under pressure. How long infected people are contagious and how parents can protect themselves.
