Sept 22, 2022
Germany's energy crisis: Economy Minister Robert Habeck under pressure
By Jens Thurau | 21.09.2022
Robert Habeck in the wind, furrowed brow, speaking into a microphone
For some time, the Green economy minister has been Germany’s most popular politician, outshining Chancellor Olaf Scholz in times of dramatic gas and electricity price hikes. But now the tide is turning.
A TV interview in early September marked the turning point for Germany's most popular politician: Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, visibly exhausted, appeared on public broadcaster ZDF, where he was asked whether he feared a wave of insolvencies because of the rising energy prices.
German bakers fear bankruptcy over price hike loafs of bread in Max Kugel's bakery
In an obvious attempt to make the situation seem less dramatic, he spoke incoherently about small bakeries possibly having to halt production, leaving his audience wondering whether the minister understood what actually constitutes insolvency.
The backlash on social media was swift and fierce. Jörg Goldenbaum, a master baker from the northern German state of Lower Saxony, was one of the many who took to Twitter to vent their anger at the government: "They don't give a damn about small businesses," he wrote.
Habeck seemed "helpless," conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz gleefully told parliament the next day.
While Habeck, in a show of confidence, responded by announcing plans for "redesigning the European energy market."
The pivotal issue of empathy
"With statements, such as the possible end of production for small bakeries, Robert Habeck failed to show the necessary empathy for the plight of certain groups in society. Empathy, however, is a core element of good crisis communication," communication scientist Andreas Schwarz of the Technical University (TU) in Ilmenau told DW.
Since the center-left coalition government came to office in December 2021, Habeck has outshone Chancellor Olaf Scholz from the Social Democrats (SPD). Since the Ukraine war began, he has been traveling the world in search of energy sources to replace Russian gas. He reached the hearts and minds of the public with straightforward and emotional messages of genuine concern. He showed compassion and shared his thoughts, while the chancellor seemed aloof and tight-lipped.
But now Habeck seems exhausted and insecure. "He dithers during public appearances now," political scientist Wolfgang Merkel observed in an interview with ZDF broadcaster.
"Robert just needs to get some sleep and have a good rest," one of his Green Party colleagues told DW.
But there's simply no time for that at this moment of crisis. Habeck is the economy minister and vice-chancellor and people expect him to steer the country through the winter as energy costs skyrocket.
Robert Habeck
"When fears of price increases and security of supply dominate perceptions and at the same time the political measures that are communicated to the public are perceived as ineffective or insufficient, negative reactions increase — the rejection of the measures, blaming politicians, conspiracy theories. The current criticism of Habeck's measures leads to this kind of situation," said analyst Andreas Schwarzer.
Two measures, in particular, announced by Habeck over the past few weeks, are causing tempers to flare up.
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