Germany is faced with the ruins of an almost disastrous energy policy that has been in place for many years.
It will be many years before a resilient strategy that is compatible with the climate goals is implemented, which also guarantees security of supply and promises a price level that is competitive from an economic point of view.
There should be no illusions about the necessary turning point in energy policy, which will consume a lot of money.
First of all, however, it is important to create the conditions as quickly as possible to bring the country through a period in which Russian gas has become a scarce commodity.
This challenge is taking place at a time when people are experiencing the highest rates of inflation in decades, a fall into recession, not only for the German economy, cannot be ruled out and the most important gas supplier is waging a criminal, imperialist war, which it is also waging strategically must not gain the interest of the West.
There may be few examples of such a tricky situation in politics that can serve as a guide.
Are economic textbooks at least able to provide pointers for good decisions?
When there is a risk of gas shortages, as much as possible must be saved.
The fact that rising prices create incentives to save is not only in the textbook, but can also be seen from the data of the past few months.
In this light, the decision to rescue Uniper with the help of the state must be judged.
Uniper needs help because the company cannot pass on the gas prices that have increased in its procurement.
In view of the mood among the people, that may be the most obvious way for politics.
But it can take bitter revenge if not enough is saved and a serious gas shortage in the West forces people to bow down to Putin.
Then there would be more at stake than the question of whether people can be expected to economize on gas.
Then it might be about the external security of members of NATO.