Criticism of Ursula von der Leyen and the European Commission for being late in presenting concrete proposals to curb price increases leaves the President of the European Council, Charles Michelin an interview published today by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir.

“This is a situation that we do not find today, it goes back even before the war in Ukraine,” notes the President of the European Council, recalling the conclusions of the March, May and June summits, during which energy took center stage and the Commission was unanimously asked to submit proposals on key energy issues.

Regarding the increase in energy prices, Charles Michel emphasizes that “for many months the heads of state and government have called on the Commission to work on this issue”, in particular on price ceilings and the possible need to reform the electricity market.

“There was no consensus on what decision should be taken, but there was a consensus to call on the Commission to submit concrete proposals,” emphasizes Charles Michel, noting that his remarks are not criticism, but an appeal to the leaders of the state and government.

“There is a feeling that the commission wasted their time, and this is sad”

Asked if this delay can be attributed to technical difficulties in the electricity market, Charles Michel replies: “Technical difficulties are part of the daily life of the European Union. I cannot accept that this is an obstacle. Today, when natural gas prices have risen ten or twelve times, the system is broken. Electricity prices are rising. And companies are making huge profits. Until the summer, in a certain Brussels bureaucracy, the thought lived that everything was not so bad. Because these companies are likely to reinvest heavily in the energy transition. A state of mind cut off from political and democratic realities. I think that in September the ministers should once again draw everyone’s attention to the political-democratic dynamics.”

In continuation, the President of the European Council assesses that “states are in the process of impoverishment”, recalling that 280 billion euros have already been allocated from state budgets to mitigate the effects of the energy crisis on businesses and citizens.

“Citizens are suffering, companies are suffering, states are suffering, and some energy companies are making windfall profits. I do not deny that the topic is complex. But doing nothing is unacceptable. And it’s hard to explain that since March, there have been no serious business proposals on the table,” emphasizes Charles Michel.

Calling for “quick decision-making” for fear of social unrest, he says: “We must do everything to ensure that our societies are cohesive. We are in a vicious circle that needs to be broken. Energy prices, which are much higher in Europe than anywhere else in the world, are fueling inflation that fuels poverty, reduces economic growth and threatens employment. Not to mention the threats to democracy. Authoritarian regimes, Russia in the first place, but not only, are obsessed with the idea of ​​proving that the democratic model cannot bring success and prosperity. One of their strategic goals is to try to create strong social tensions to fuel extremism and populism. »

In conclusion, Charles Michel said that both the President of France and the Prime Minister of Belgium had told the people the truth, and this must be done. “It is necessary that citizens realize that very quickly we will all have to change our behavior in terms of energy consumption,” he adds, starting with the buildings of the EU and the European Council, saying: “The Union must lead by example. “Several Member States have had success recommending or implementing changes in winter or summer temperature behavior.”

^{Source: RES-IPE}