In view of the Russian war of aggression and the gas supply freeze, the state has two core tasks: First, it must maintain the energy supply.
Secondly, it is important to protect citizens and companies from financial collapse while at the same time motivating them to save energy.
Against this background, the nationalization of the largest German gas importer, Uniper, is the right decision.
Uniper has made itself dependent on Russia through its own fault and would not have earned a penny of tax money in normal times.
But now a solution had to be found quickly.
Because with Uniper, a number of energy suppliers and public utilities would have gone under.
The state is now investing tens of billions to avoid an even more expensive chain reaction.
However, he is still avoiding the crucial question of which price increases should ultimately reach gas customers and how consumers can be relieved in case of doubt.
A commission of experts is to make proposals.
This comes many months too late, when most people still felt too few financial incentives to save gas and get their homes ready for the winter.
The gas surcharge, which would have asked all customers to pay, is so screwed up that nobody outside the government wants it anymore.
In the government, on the other hand, Ministers Habeck and Lindner are confusing with contradictory statements on the legal feasibility of the levy.
So political power games instead of a clean solution – the surcharge has to go.
The entry into the state suggests that the taxpayers and thus also future generations will bear the burden.
This is justified because of the exceptional situation.
So far, however, the government has not committed to privatizing Uniper as soon as the situation improves.
The state has shown no foresight in energy policy.
He should desist from entrepreneurial tasks beyond the crisis.