German Bundestag, Plenarprotokoll 20/63,
pp. 7046-7048.
Right honorable Frau President. Right honorable ladies and
gentlemen. Dear countrymen.
Let me first remember the two dead tradesmen in Ludwigshafen
who two days ago were murdered by a Somali. – Frau Haßelmann, that hurts. – I
wish the families and those left behind much strength, I wish the wounded a
rapid healing. This is meanwhile normality in Germany.
Let us come to the European Council which today and tomorrow
meets in Brussels to deal with Russia’s war in the Ukraine as well as its
effects on the energy prices and the economy in Europe; so says the title. On
one side, the explosive power of an energy crisis seems to have sunk in. On the
other side, here again cause and effect are confused. One answer to the crisis
is to be in any case the so-called gas price cap; we hear and read it thus. Yet
here many questions remain open: Can Germany’s energy and supply security be
guaranteed? Are we in common purchasing adequate quantities? How will be the
distribution ratio – according to need? How much more does procurement in
common cost the taxpayer in comparison to national procurement? To this the
Chancellor today provides no answers. To secure the energy supply in common
with the European states can be a way if Germany needs no longer to invest, if
Germany was in good contact with all European partners, and not in part at war.
The continent of Europe has at its disposal sufficient energy reserves so as to
take care of itself. It would thus be not at all necessary to purchase
additional, expensive and dirty fracking gas. Yet for that is required an
infrastructure which is also secured by the community.
In this connection, I ask you, Herr Chancellor: Where are
the investigation results for the sabotage attacks of Nord Stream 1 and 2? I
already asked you a week ago. You have said in the last week that these will
soon be put forward. Now Sweden refuses to name the details of the
investigation. I ask you: Does that correspond to a trustworthy process in the
European community? Do friends deal with us thusly?
We had and have with the Nord Stream pipelines the
opportunity as Germany to secure, sovereign and at good value, our energy
supply. Even so, parts of Europe could besides be served. We have always
aspired to that the German government needs to keep open options, options to
keep itself capable of action so that the prosperity of the economy, of
industry and thereby that of the people are secured. All of this you put in
play with your self-kindled economic war which is principally directed against
us, against our people. Your measures and programs come late and are always
again a bad compromise which primarily causes only costs in the long-term for the
citizens. For the 200 billion euros in special funds are also new debts which
in the end the taxpayers must pay as well. That is the usual game of “left
pocket, right pocket”, and it is in addition partly unconstitutional, as the
Federal Audit Authority has already declared.
I have often said: You ineptly bustle about and tinker with
the symptoms instead of finally devoting yourself to the causes. And this at
present lies in your sanctions policy. You therein really appear to meanwhile
develop preferences. Look for once through the values glasses, Frau Baerbock:
Which is the next country from which you want to distance yourself? Here, you quite eagerly take the lead. It is
really quite peculiar that exactly out of the party which once stood for
openness and tolerance now comes the greatest of schoolmasters. These meanwhile
would want to let weapons speak for the enforcement of their so-called values.
Diplomacy in any case does not belong to your strengths. You
show that exactly in the ranks of the Ampel
coalition. Among the citizens you earn ever less respect and credibility; that
is seen not only in the polling results.
The Economy Minister day by day attests to the consequences
of his own policy when he speaks of the high prices for energy, a coming
recession and the downfall of the German economy. Here it needs to be said: The
policy of Robert Habeck works: He of course is actively anxious that we become
a developing country or the problem child of Europe. You should, Herr Habeck,
really for once reconsider whether you still fulfill your office for the
welfare of the German people, or should better withdraw again into the world of
imaginary creatures.
Sakia Esken (SPD): Frenetic applause!
From Economy Minister to Finance Minister. Herr Lindner, you
speak in Dresden to young journeymen where you – you may recall – make jokes about
your colleagues Lauterbach and Habeck. A few weeks before you said to the young
journeymen there – I cite: We need to do everything that brings down energy
prices and discontinue everything that lets energy prices rise. In such a situation all available capacities
need to be kept in the network. Certainly through Easter.
In Dresden, you tell the people what they want to hear, and
here in Berlin you make your policy the exact opposite. That is the mendacious
policy of the FDP. That is the mendacious policy against the trades and the Mittelstand. And the voters in Niedersachsen have already recognized
that. Here, I can only say to you, dear Herr Lindner: Lies have short legs. You
should therefore concern yourself for warm underwear; since soon it is ground
frost.
…
With all impossible means, you want to save the Western
system of values and economics, and are thereby the commanders of your own
downfall. Yet certainly we in Europe need nevertheless make a policy lead by
interests for our citizens. The continent of Europe has a strong place in a
multipolar world order. We therefore require peace, stability and before all
things economic sovereignty. You and your one-sided U.S.-American alignment are
the gravediggers of the German economy. We see this every day. For the sake of
the people, please finally come to reason! Finally try to put aside your ideological
interests!
At the moment, you gamble [verpokern] all capital in favor of a one-sided transatlantic
alliance or a new dependency. In any case, your policy is of no use to Germany.
You thereby split not only Europe but also the world community. Yet, plainly,
business partners believed to be secure turn away and seek new contacts, as for
example Saudi Arabia and its plan to enter the BRICS states.
I therefore demand of you, for credibility in face of our
European partners and also of this summit:
First. Concern yourselves as quickly as possible so that the
three idled and the three remaining active nuclear power plants secure the energy
supply through April 2023. For that, new fuel rods are required. Besides, this exactly would be the hour of the
parliament. We demand an open vote not influenced by the delegations –
particularly; since here it is about responsibility. Each member should declare
this in his constituency; also, any of those who deny the reality. This is
democracy, and this we demand.
Second. Clarify the sabotage attacks on the Nord Stream
pipelines. Concern yourselves that the critical infrastructure will be and is
protected so that gas will again be delivered through the pipelines to Germany
and Europe.
Third. End your values-led sanctions policy and stop the
weapons deliveries to the Ukraine. Help to end the war in Europe by means of
negotiations.
Alexander Lambsdorff (FDP): Recite all that in Russian!
And stop playing the vice cops of the entire world, Herr Lambsdorff.
Finally act as sovereign for the welfare of our country and for the welfare of
our German citizens.
Konstantin von Notz (Greens): My goodness! That is so boring! That is so meaningless, what you say!
Many thanks.
[trans: tem]
