Energy crisis: Ursula von der Leyen unveils emergency measures in the European Parliament

Published on: 09/14/2022 – 08:37 “Contribution” requested from gas and oil groups, binding targets for reducing electricity demand, capping superprofits from nuclear and renewables… The President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen, presents on Wednesday emergency measures to deal with the energy crisis and soaring prices during her “speech on the state of the EU” at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. How to ensure that the 447 million Europeans will be able to heat themselves this winter and cope with soaring electricity bills? Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlines emergency measures on Wednesday (September 14) during her “State of the EU address”, an exercise inspired by US politics. This annual political address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg will have as guest of honor the Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, announced Tuesday evening on Twitter the head of the European executive. “The courage of the Ukrainian people has touched and inspired the world,” added Ursula von der Leyen. Ukraine by Russia, at a time when galloping inflation threatens the continent’s economy. Meeting on Friday, European energy ministers asked the Commission to prepare a “solid and concrete proposal” in a few days. Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson promised “unprecedented measures”: “There is no magic wand, but we can cushion the impact,” she said in Strasbourg. potential sources divide the Member States The European executive has already outlined several avenues: a cap on the superprofits of nuclear and renewables, whose production costs are well below the market price, in order to redistribute them; binding electricity demand reduction targets; a “contribution” demanded from gas and oil groups… The Twenty-Seven also asked him to study a possible cap on the price of gas imports from the EU, a measure that Brussels initially wanted to apply only to Russian gas. “We are eager to hear the Commission’s concrete proposals. We can no longer afford to depend on unreliable players,” Parliament President Roberta Metsola warned on Tuesday. At his side, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin denounced Moscow’s “blackmail” on gas supplies. Energy ministers will meet again on September 30 to decide on this emergency plan, some of which potential measures are already dividing the Twenty-Seven, with very varied energy situations.An exercise in accountabilityDuring this “key moment in European democracy” according to the Parliament, the Commission – not elected but having the initiative of European laws – is supposed to report on its balance sheet and present its projects: after a speech of around forty minutes, scheduled for 9 a.m. (7 a.m. GMT), Ursula von der Leyen will engage in a debate of more than two hours with MEPs .This is the third time since taking office that the head of the European executive has engaged in the exercise, this time in a very different context: a year ago, the leader was still strong united management of the health crisis of the Covid-19. “This is perhaps the most important speech of Ursula von der Leyen’s term of office, there are very strong expectations of quick and decisive words and actions”, considers Valérie Hayer, MEP Renew (centrists and liberals). After more than six months of war and a waning European unity, “it’s time not to have a shaky hand, not to oppose support for the Ukrainians and protection for the Europeans” , abounds the socialist Sylvie Guillaume. According to her, it is time “for the European Commission to really become the geopolitical commission” that she said she wanted to be at the start of her mandate in 2019. Beyond the energy question, Ursula von der Leyen – who will speak alternately in English, German and French – is also expected to address the EU’s “green transition”, the economic recovery plan and the defense of the rule of law, without necessarily mentioning Hungary. With AFP