ThePrint ·
Analysis-Europe’s low gas stocks pile on the economic and political pressure
By Balazs Koranyi FRANKFURT, Sept 17 (Reuters) - Europe's delay in restocking natural gas storage reserves, combined with near-record prices for diesel and other refined oil products, has added to the
FRANKFURT, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Europe’s delay in restocking natural gas storage reserves, combined with near-record prices for diesel and other refined oil products, has added to the pressures on governments as they try to contain public discontent and the rise of the far-right.
The issue is acute in Europe’s biggest economy Germany, where the Alternative for Germany, or AfD party, won elections in one state last week on a platform demanding peace with Moscow and the restoration of contracts for cheap Russian gas.
A further AfD surge in state-level elections this weekend would tighten the squeeze on conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz as he weighs his options for costly measures to lower fuel prices.
