In Wednesday's debate in the German Parliament, Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Alice Weidel, co-leader of the opposition AfD, sharply disagreed over Russia policy and energy supplies.
Weidel accused the Merz government of increasing tensions with Moscow and escalating "war propaganda." She argued that the government was driving Germany into an energy crisis by ending energy supplies from Russia, and said Merz had "burned the last bridges" to divert attention from his own political performance.
The AfD co-leader called on the government to advocate peace negotiations, as the United States has done. Weidel also criticized Berlin for abandoning cheap Russian pipeline gas and warned that Germany could face an "existential gas supply crisis" during the winter months.
Weidel further alleged that the government had remained silent when the Nord Stream pipeline was blown up. She argued that preparations should be made to resume shipments through the remaining pipeline sections, and said the suspected planners of the attack in Kyiv continued to be rewarded with billions of euros paid at Germany's expense.
Merz defends Ukraine policy
Merz said that supporting Ukraine meant defending Europe's security. Accusing the AfD of switching the roles of perpetrator and victim, the chancellor said Germany would continue to support Ukraine.
Merz said that neither NATO, the European Union nor Germany had threatened Russia, and argued that the real threat to Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin was the appeal of democracy. According to Merz, Ukraine's progress toward joining Europe's democratic family poses a genuine danger to Putin's administration.
The chancellor claimed that the AfD knew this but nevertheless sided with Moscow.
Berlin confident in energy supplies
Merz said they had corrected past mistakes in energy policy, adding that the government had reduced dependencies and diversified supply sources. He said renewable energy would retain its central place in the country's energy mix.
Merz said Germany would secure reliable energy supplies in the future through renewable sources. The chancellor said ministers were monitoring gas storage levels and holding talks with companies, and noted that statements that could prompt the public to buy gas in panic should be avoided.
Merz said there were clear indications that gas supplies in Germany, in particular, would remain secure throughout the winter, adding that the federal government's supply strategy was based on this assessment.
