Citizens' dialogue in Germany's Bayreuth: Economics Minister Habeck in the noise of the whistles

 

“There is a great fear in the federal government that the Ukraine policy could lead to protests. Economics Minister Robert Habeck felt the irritable mood in the country during his summer trip.

 

"Get lost, get lost, get lost" - even after an hour, the chorus of angry people who gathered on Thursday evening in front of the barriers at the Ehrenhof in downtown Bayreuth hardly subsided. Vice-Chancellor and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is in town for a “civil dialogue”; it is one of half a dozen stops during his two-day summer trip. But there can be no question of a dialogue this evening. 

 

"Liars", "warmongers" they call out to him, while Habeck draws his usual wide arc from the war in Ukraine to the forest fires and climate protection on stage.

 

Green ministers in particular have been warning of an impending split in the country for weeks. Annalena Baerbock (Greens) recently feared "popular uprisings" if Russia stopped supplying gas. 

 

An "exaggerated" statement, as she later said. Habeck already saw social peace in danger in March and, on this basis, rejected an immediate ban on imports of Russian energy. This appearance in Bayreuth is not a pleasant one for him. Habeck is still a bit hoarse after his corona infection, sometimes his voice is lost in the noise of the whistles. But he can also feel vindicated this evening. The loud are still in the minority. But the high gas prices have not yet reached most consumers.

"A thousand lousy a week"

Criticism also comes from the quieter ones, those who made it into the fenced off area in front of the Old Castle. For example, there is the man who introduces himself as the owner of a shop selling tropical ornamental fish and koi carp. People saved on their hobbies, he laments. "If I'm lucky, I'll make a thousand lousy a week." He doesn't choose AfD, but others may do. The Economics Minister praised the man's commitment, but said Habeck he could not promise him that the market for ornamental fish would be preserved.

 

Next, a solar entrepreneur takes the floor, quoting a sentence from Willy Brandt's government declaration from 1969: "We want to be a people of good neighbors". The entrepreneur obviously doesn't think much of the federal government's strategy of getting rid of energy imports from Russia as quickly as possible. "We are committing economic suicide." Shortly afterwards, a woman asks: "What have the sanctions achieved?"

 

Not all stations of Habeck's summer trip are as emotional as this one. The visit to the energy park in Bad Lauchstädt is a home game for him: the operators want to produce hydrogen in the future and convert gas lines for its transport. The project is financially supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Habeck is also well disposed in the cardboard plant in Plößberg, as well as in the Bayreuth municipal works. Here it is, the dialogue, even if there is hardly any time to talk. Habeck is rushed through the halls.

But there are critical questions here too. The project manager in the energy park asks why all the permits are still so cumbersome and complicated. Hydrogen production is not scheduled to start until mid-2024, although preparations have been underway for years. Habeck looks embarrassed. At Stadtwerke Bayreuth, the managing director explains to him that such a power-driven heat pump – Habeck's favorite heating system – is all well and good, but that it reaches its limits in winter. If not with gas, then you have to help with wood pellets. So don't ban them too, that's the blatant message in the direction of Berlin.

After an hour and a half at the Ehrenhof in Bayreuth, Habeck has reached his goal. The booing has become quieter, and the Economics Minister unreservedly shares the demand from the public for heavier taxation of energy companies. Unfortunately, the FDP just doesn't. He thanks you for coming, for the exchange and wishes you a nice evening. This time the applause drowns out the remaining whistles.”