'SELFISH' Angela Merkel attacked for putting Germany first

ANGELA Merkel has been attacked for putting Germany ahead of other EU countries in a scathing attack.

Chancellor Angela Merkel branded selfishGETTY

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has been branded 'selfish'

The economic powerhouse of the EU has come under fire with German Chancellor Angela Merkel's ambitions branded selfish. 

Ursula Weidenfeld, a former head of department for economics, told Tagesspiegel: “Germans like to regard themselves as the model-European. 

“Without complaining, they are the largest net payer in the European Union.”

However, she goes on to claim that while unconcerned with politics in neighbouring countries, Germany’s government is no different from “European egoists - Hungary, Poland, Greece or Slovakia”, adding that when comes to national interests, it is “Germany first”.

Described often as the “climate Chancellor”, due to her impassioned stance on climate protection, Mrs Merkel remains quiet on her country’s staggering greenhouse emissions, which remain the highest in Europe.

According to Ms Weidenfeld, Germany’s stance on renewable energies have left both Holland and Poland to fend for themselves.

She said: “With the self-assurance of the largest national economy in the Union, the Germans have agreed on their energy policy.

“For this purpose, they have taken their neighbouring countries in joint liability.

“When German surplus electricity from renewable energies pushes into the networks of Holland and Poland, Poland and the Dutch have to see for themselves how they keep their electricity supply stable.”

RUSSIAN-GERMAN NORD STREAM PIPELINEGETTY

Any sanctions on Russia threaten Germany’s interest in the energy sector

She added: “Europe wanted to free itself from the dependence on Russian gas with a common energy policy. 

“However, Nord Stream II, the planned new pipeline from Russia through the Baltic Sea to Germany, will not only bind Germany but all of Europe to Russian gas.

"The Federal Government sees this as a purely national issue.”

Any sanctions on Russia threaten Germany’s interest in the energy sector.

An amended US bill expanding sanctions against Russia is expected to have a negative impact on some European energy projects that are linked to Russian companies, namely German ones.

The initial version of the bill would have imposed sanctions only against any foreign person or entity that has significant investments in certain Russian energy projects.

It is this refreshed part of the bill which has drawn criticism from the EU, particularly Germany, because European companies are involved in several energy projects with Russian businesses.

GERMANY ENERGY ANGELA MERKELGETTY

Germany has been described as the largest net payer in the European Union

The bill could also penalise companies involved in Nord Stream II, a joint project between German and Austrian companies and Russia’s Gazprom.

The project will enable Russian gas to be delivered to Germany without using the existing pipeline that runs through Ukraine, and is seen by Germany as another way to secure its energy needs - wanting also to protect the interests of German companies.

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