German Minister President Warns of Growing Anti-EU Sentiment in Germany
In a recent interview with Politico, Saxony’s Minister President, Michael Kretschmer, expressed concerns about the growing anti-EU sentiment in Germany. He attributed this trend to over-regulation, citing the example of the “Lieferkettengesetz” and excessive environmental regulations, stating that “the regulation is crushing at times.” Kretschmer warned that if this trend continues, more people may turn away from the European Union, a scenario he believes Germany must avoid.
He drew a parallel with the Brexit experience, emphasizing that the EU must not become a “space of over-regulation, but of freedom.” The Minister President also called for further measures to drive the energy transition, particularly in the energy policy and deregulation sectors. Additionally, he advocated for targeted support for the semiconductor industry, as the global competition is “enormously distorted and not fair.”
Kretschmer was critical of the 18th sanctions package against Russia, stating that the measures are economically harmful to Germany. He expressed skepticism about the country’s ability to abandon Russian gas supplies, saying that excluding this option for all time would be wrong. The Minister President argued that national interests should be taken into account when shaping the sanctions and that a peaceful resolution requires showing Russia a perspective for economic cooperation and as a natural gas supplier.