For weeks, Germany has been discussing the question of whether energy imports from Russia should be stopped immediately in view of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Some economists consider the associated economic consequences to be manageable.

The federal government sees it differently and, like BASF boss Martin Brüdermüller, warns of incalculable damage to the entire economy.

Julia Loehr

Business correspondent in Berlin.

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The unity of politics and business on this issue is also reflected in a previously unpublished paper by the “Future of Industry” alliance, which is available to the FAZ.

"An immediate stop to energy supplies from Russia would have serious effects on people and the economy throughout Europe, especially on industry and its employees," it says.

"This stop could significantly weaken our political and economic ability to act as well as social and societal cohesion in a short time." The statement was written by Udo Philipp, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Economics, Wolfgang Lemb, Board Member of IG Metall, and Joachim Lang, Managing Director of the Federal Association of Germans Industry (BDI).

The “Future of Industry” alliance is not a new invention.

In 2015, the then Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel (SPD), created it to publicly underline the importance of industry for German prosperity.

And also to create a discussion format for his industrial policy ambitions.

Whether chip subsidies, battery cell subsidies or stricter controls for foreign investors: Gabriel set the course for many of the things that are commonplace today.

Don't reduce dependency all at once

In the new position paper, the alliance between business and politics continues.

The authors “emphatically” support the sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU.

Ministry, BDI and IG Metall emphasize: "In the current situation, the aim is to avoid supporting the Russian economy." To do this, imports would have to be diversified, energy reserves built up and the expansion of renewable energies promoted.

However, the authors also agree that dependence on fossil fuels from Russia should be reduced “step by step” and not all at once.

Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) dodged new questions about an embargo on Monday.

"We are working towards independence from Russian oil and from coal and gas," he said.

Germany has already significantly reduced its dependency in recent weeks.

Seen in this way, there are steps towards an embargo every day.