Majority of Germans is in favour of oil and gas embargo against Russia - survey

A majority of Germans is in favour of stopping oil and gas imports from Russia even if an embargo would lead to supply problems in the country. In a survey by public broadcaster ZDF, 55 percent of respondents supported an import ban, while while 39 percent were against. To secure energy supply, 92 percent of respondents supported a faster roll-out of renewables. But the survey also revealed majority support for extending nuclear and coal usage for supply security. 57 percent were in favour of keeping nuclear plants online longer, with 41 percent against. An extension of coal-fired power plant usage was supported by 56 percent of respondents and rejected by 41 percent. A majority of participants in the survey said the economic sanctions that have been imposed are just right (47 percent) while 38 percent say that they do not go far enough. Only 11 percent believed the sanctions were excessive.

As Russian president Vladimir Putin continues to wage war in Ukraine and the US is banning ban all oil imports from Russia, calls are getting louder for Germany and Europe to follow Washington’s lead. But Germany's government has firmly rejected an import ban because of the large economic fallout, with chancellor Olaf Scholz arguing that imports are "essential" for supply security. European countries are paying Russian energy suppliers close to one billion euros per day for coal, oil and gas, thereby indirectly financing Putin’s war chest. Germany's economics and environment ministries have rejected an extension of nuclear operating times in light of the Russian invasion, and instead are pushing renewable sources of electricity. The government is assessing wehther to let coal plants scheduled for closure stay open to ensure a stable power supply.