"The success of the auto industry and the happiness of motorists has long been a barometer for the standing of the Federal Republic. Since the beginning of the war on Iran, German news has been filled with stories about drivers, reporting scenes of anger and frustration at the hike in fuel prices."
"Diesel rose briefly to over 2.40 (2.08) a litre, a more than 50% increase on the price a year ago. The crisis in the strait of Hormuz has revealed just how fragile the European economy is, although it is not the first time Europeans have been forced to learn the lesson of their energy dependency."
"Friedrich Merz's governing coalition has responded to the latest disruption to oil shipments by doubling down on its commitment to fossil fuels, taking the form of new subsidies for fossil fuels and drafting new laws that could defund renewable energy projects."
"Katherina Reiche, Germany's minister for economic affairs and energy, gave a remarkable speech at an energy conference in Houston, Texas, in which she called into question the EU law which enshrines the goal of net zero emissions by 2050."
The car symbolizes Germany, making the auto industry's success crucial to national sentiment. Recent fuel price hikes due to the war on Iran have sparked public anger. Diesel prices surged over 2.40 per litre, highlighting inflation and energy dependency issues. Past crises, including Covid and geopolitical conflicts, should have informed the government's response. However, the current coalition has increased fossil fuel subsidies and questioned renewable energy commitments, revealing a contradiction in energy politics and a lack of proactive measures against energy shocks.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]