06. April 2022

Broad public support for strategies to reduce German energy dependence on Russia Broad public support for reducing energy dependence on Russia

According to a representative survey for the briq policy monitor, more than two-thirds of the German population would support a halt to energy imports from Russia in order to increase pressure on the Russian government. A broad majority would also welcome additional measures to reduce energy dependence, including alternative energy sources and energy-saving. When it comes to helping the Ukrainian people, many of the respondents would support both aid and integration policies, including permanent residence and work permits for refugees. Germans are divided, however, on the question of further arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Gas Pipeline
Gas Pipeline © Quinten de Graaf / Unsplash
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Roughly 70 percent of the 2,000 respondents said they would support an embargo on Russian gas, oil and coal. Three out of four Germans are in favor of seizing assets from people close to Putin to mitigate the economic impact of the sanctions on Germany. Around 90 percent are in favor of accelerating the expansion of renewable energies. During the transition phase, three-quarters of Germans would accept an extended operation of Germany’s last remaining nuclear power plants, and 63 percent would accept postponing the coal phase-out.

Most Germans would also support other measures to reduce fuel consumption: 61 percent of respondents would accept a temporary speed limit of 100 km/h on German freeways; 52 percent would be in favor of reintroducing “car-free” Sundays. Four out of five Germans could also imagine extending the working-from-home mandate.

Only half of respondents, however, would agree to deliver more arms to Ukraine. Around 56 percent would be in favor of more political support for Ukraine’s accession to the EU. Seven out of ten Germans would consider granting Ukrainian refugees permanent residence and work permits to facilitate their integration.

Study: Teodora Boneva, Armin Falk, Mark Fallak, Lasse Stötzer | Sanctions on Russia, Aid to Ukraine, and Energy for Germany

Fig. 1 Public support for policies to sanction Russia and help Ukraine
Fig. 1 Public support for policies to sanction Russia and help Ukraine © Teodora Boneva, Armin Falk, Mark Fallak, Lasse Stötzer / Sanctions on Russia, Aid to Ukraine, and Energy for Germany | briq
Fig. 4 Public support for policies to reduce energy dependence
Fig. 4 Public support for policies to reduce energy dependence © Teodora Boneva, Armin Falk, Mark Fallak, Lasse Stötzer / Sanctions on Russia, Aid to Ukraine, and Energy for Germany | briq
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