Maintained Gas Alert Level 2025 through the exercise of directive authority, as per Scholz's decision in 2025
In a surprising revelation, a parliamentary inquiry has shed light on the events surrounding the gas alert declared by former Federal Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, in June 2022. The alert was due to reduced gas supplies from Russia.
According to a letter from Habeck, dated April 9, 2025, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is reported to have exercised his guideline competence regarding the gas alert level. This letter follows a telephone conversation on April 3, 2025, before Scholz stepped down.
The continuation of the operation of German nuclear power plants, a matter that was handled by Scholz's guideline competence, is also highlighted in the letter. Scholz had ordered the continued operation of the remaining German nuclear power plants in 2022.
Interestingly, the Scholz office referred questions to the Federal Press Office, which left questions unanswered for several days. Habeck, for his part, did not wish to comment on the matter, suggesting non-disclosure or discretion regarding the Scholz-coordinated operation of nuclear power plants.
The gas alert enables special rights to secure gas supply. Habeck's request to maintain the gas alert level is understood by him as an exercise of Scholz's guideline competence, according to the letter. However, all experts agree that the reasons for the alert have ceased to exist, as confirmed by Habeck's letter.
Legal scholar Martin Morlok from Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf confirms Habeck's assessment that Scholz exercised his guideline competence in this case. This is a notable instance, as there are only two known cases in the history of the Federal Republic where a federal chancellor has referred to guideline competence.
The first instance was in 1956, when Konrad Adenauer (CDU) used the "Chancellor's word" to push through a pension reform. This "word" from Scholz was coordinated with Habeck and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
The Scholz-Habeck coordination on the operation of nuclear power plants was also revealed in the parliamentary inquiry. The report does not provide clear information from the Scholz office on the matter.
This development underscores the complexity and delicacy of decisions made during times of crisis, and the role of the federal chancellor in such situations. As more information becomes available, the public will continue to seek clarity on these important matters.
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