Protests like in “Corona time”
Faeser warns against radicalization because of energy prices
7/17/2022 3:43 p.m
Whether Russia will warm to turning on the gas tap again after servicing the Nord Stream 1 pipeline is uncertain. In view of an impending price explosion, Federal Interior Minister Faeser fears that extremists will fuel consumer fears.
In view of new uncertainties about Russian gas deliveries, concerns about social upheaval and political disputes are growing in politics. According to a report in the “Handelsblatt”, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser warned against radical protests. “Of course there is a danger that those who already shouted their contempt for democracy during the Corona period and were often traveling side by side with right-wing extremists will try to misuse the sharply rising prices as a new mobilization topic.”
Populists and extremists use every crisis for fear and division, but also for hatred and threats. However, the security authorities keep a very close eye on the extremist scenes. “We are prepared, also for possible new protests,” said the minister.
At the same time, Faeser warned that the fears of those who would be hit particularly hard by rising prices should not be fueled by the political center. Responsible social policy is “the prerequisite for keeping our society together and also for protecting internal security”.
No Russian gas has flowed through the Baltic Sea pipeline Nord Stream 1 since July 11 due to maintenance work. Whether Russia will open the gas tap again after the work, which Berlin estimates will take about ten days, is open. As early as mid-June, the Russian company Gazprom severely curtailed gas supplies through the Baltic Sea pipeline, citing a defective turbine.