Germany linked Merkel's words about gas from Russian Federation to the verification of public opinion

The statement of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel about the profitability of Russian gas supplies could be a test of public opinion on the possibility of their resumption. This opinion was expressed on December 12 by Ralf Niemeyer, head of the German Council for Constitution and Sovereignty.

"It could have [been a test of public opinion]," he told RIA Novosti.

Niemeyer noted that Friedrich Merz - the current candidate for chancellor from Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party - is characterized by pragmatism. According to his assessment, the current CDU leader is able to change the approach of Berlin in the absence of another way out, specified "Gazeta.Ru".

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Earlier, on December 10, Merkel called gas supplies from Russia to Germany a long-standing mutually beneficial tradition. In the air of TV channel France 2, the former Chancellor said that they were not a mistake. In late November, Merkel also admitted that the refusal of Russian gas had caused significant damage to German business and industry.

Prior to that, on November 1, German Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck recognized Germany's dependence on gas from Russia and the Chinese market, which he compared to "drug doping." In his opinion, the country is now paying the price with its competitiveness.

Western countries decided to reduce dependence on Russian energy resources against the backdrop of Russia's special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022. However, as a result, a serious energy crisis started in many European countries.