Due to the energy crisis brought about by sanctions, several EU states oppose gas rationing to save energy. Three countries in the European Union have rejected a plan by Brussels to use 15% less energy to save. They disagree the reduction should be affected this winter, causing yet another rumple in the already divided bloc.
Sanctions on Moscow Could Affect Bloc's Winter
The "Save Gas for a Safe Winter" proposal, which the European Commission unveiled on Wednesday, calls for member states to curb gas consumption while switching to other energy sources, reported RT.
If the commission's plan were to be followed, the EU authorities would have the power to declare a state of emergency and mandate the reduction. Every two months, all member states will be required to report on their progress towards the target of 15%.
Spain rejected the severe action, said Energy Minister Teresa Ribera in a statement to the EU commission. She objected to its imposition since the commission shouldn't have pushed the sacrifice without first giving it an opportunity to be discussed, noted News Logic.
Ribera says that Spain hasn't used as much energy as some other members. Her comment was probably directed at Berlin, echoing the claim made by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2009 that EU states in the Mediterranean were living beyond their means in the lead-up to the financial crisis, citing Anaeve.
After deliberately canceling the Nord Stream 2 gas project and supporting EU sanctions against Moscow, Germany, which had relied significantly on Russian gas to power its economy, is now in danger of going bankrupt due to an energy crisis.
The next day, Greece openly opposed gas rationing, telling reporters on Thursday that Athens does not agree in general with the EU demand for a 15% reduction in gas usage, said government spokesman Giannis Oikonomou.
In its place, the administration presented our ideas to the EU. Greece's reliance on Russian natural gas amounts to 40%. Portugal also said no to the proposal, as stated by Energy Minister Joao Galamba on Thursday.
Bloc Resorts To Gas Rationing
Galamba noted that some countries, such as Germany, are now seeking assistance. In his argument, the lack of a pipeline connection between Portugal and the rest of Europe implies that any gas saved there cannot be used to make up for shortages elsewhere due to the bloc-wide rationing policy.
Bloomberg reported on Thursday that officials in Italy, Poland, and Hungary have their doubts about the idea, in addition to Spain, Greece, and Portugal vocally opposing it.
The resistance from Hungary is not surprising, given that during previous rounds of EU sanctions on Moscow, Budapest strongly opposed the banning of Russian oil and gas.
Ursula von der Leyen, chairwoman of the European Commission, blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for using energy as a form of blackmail and claimed that the plan is ready for an energy crisis.
Vladimir Putin called the US-derived sanctions mad and suicidal; the bloc leaders accepting it was more unbelievable. Joe Biden's direction is also questionable and unsound, but the gas will be pumped.
The energy crisis among EU states is causing a proposed gas rationing opposed by Spain, Greece, and Portugal, complaining it was forced with no consultation.