BFederal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) has rejected the proposal by Consumer Protection Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) to protect consumers from electricity and gas cuts in view of rising energy prices. “I have my doubts as to whether a blanket moratorium on electricity and gas cutoffs is a good idea,” Buschmann told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “Because people who can actually bear the costs will also benefit from such a moratorium.”
Buschmann went on to argue, “Unless you set up very complicated rules on how to distinguish those who want to pay but can’t from those who can but don’t want to.” These rules would probably cause too much controversy and many lead court hearings, he warned.
In the event of a further escalation of the energy crisis, his cabinet colleague Lemke had suggested protecting citizens from electricity and gas blockages in the event of late payments. “In the event of an absolute crisis, the Federal Network Agency may allow energy companies to pass on increased prices to consumers despite a price guarantee,” said the consumer protection minister. In such a crisis situation, nobody should have their electricity or gas cut off because they are in arrears with a bill.
