Once again, the Germans know better than others

Nuclear power plant Isar 2

In their own country, the operation of nuclear power plants is outlawed. At the same time, Germany obtains nuclear-generated electricity from abroad.

(Photo: dpa)

Germans like to know better than others – sometimes even than the rest of the world. That may be a stereotype – and only a vague depiction of reality. Rarely, however, has this cliché fitted reality better than in German energy policy, where intellectual immodesty is accompanied by double standards.

nuclear power plants? Really bad. Gladly abroad, where we can get the nuclear power from in an emergency, but please not here. The fact that many power plants are right on the other side of German borders – and sometimes in countries that do not necessarily enjoy the reputation of being role models in terms of technical excellence in Germany – is also a factor.

fracking? Is the devil. Please let the Americans or the Dutch do that. In the end, they are more than welcome to sell the gas they have produced to us in order to solve our own energy problem. Get your hands dirty yourself? Where are we going?

North Stream 2? No, it has nothing to do with politics – certainly not with geopolitics, as the German alliance partners have been claiming for years. It was purely private, wasn’t it? Even if the current energy shock shows us the full extent of the gas dependence on the “flawless democrat” in Moscow.

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FDP man Wolfgang Kubicki, after all deputy chairman of a governing party, suggests that the pipeline should be connected to the network – at least he can be sure of the applause of the fringes of the AfD and the Left Party.

German clichés stay alive

One could cite many examples related to the Ukraine war. The arms deliveries, for example. Yes, they are necessary, but please not from peace-loving Germany. Then rather a ring exchange. Others deliver heavy weapons, we Germans replenish their stocks. What creativity!

Never again, it is said, should the world recover from the German character. Actually. We Germans can make the world a little bit better – with our left hand. Just think of the 5,000 helmets that Berlin generously and publicly offered the brave Ukrainians right after the start of the war. That too will stick in the collective memory of all non-Germans – and ensure that stereotypes about Germans do not die out.

More: Is it right to skim off “chance profits” from energy producers?

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