Weidel Says Germany Needs Russian Gas to Revive Economy

Germany should end its boycott of Russian oil and gas to bolster its faltering economy, Alice Weidel, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), told Reuters. She argued that the loss of Russian energy has cost Germany hundreds of thousands of jobs and increased its dependence on more expensive energy imports from the United States.

“Cheap energy from Russia was the secret of the success of 'Made in Germany'. We need it back”, she said.

Before sanctions were imposed in 2022, Russia supplied Germany with one-third of its oil and more than half of its natural gas. German industry has also been affected by the destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines. Volkswagen, for example, is considering cutting up to 100,000 jobs.

Weidel views the September regional elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD leads in the polls, as important milestones on the path to winning the chancellorship in the 2029 federal election. She said victories in the two states would challenge Berlin’s migration policy and undermine the political consensus. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democrats, however, continue to reject any cooperation with the AfD.

Pro-Russian positions carry particular weight in eastern Germany. After meeting Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, AfD lawmaker Markus Frohnmaier called for the reopening of the Nord Stream pipelines, saying gas deliveries could resume within three months. CDU lawmaker Roderich Kiesewetter criticized the AfD for exploiting pro-Russian sentiment ahead of the regional elections.

Weidel also rejected the characterization of the AfD as an extremist party.

“People describe us as far-right. ​In truth, we are a party for the regular person. We will not turn everything on its head if we get into power”, she said.

(Reuters, Max)