德国还在嘴硬？取暖费三年上涨82%，政府仍然表示“影响不大”

Group 1 - The energy structure in Germany has undergone significant changes since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, leading to a severe energy shortage in winter 2022 [1][3] - Germany's decision to stop importing pipeline natural gas from Russia resulted in heating costs for citizens increasing by 82% compared to pre-conflict levels in 2021 [3][10] - The transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) has increased transportation costs by 40%, contributing to the overall rise in heating expenses [3][5] Group 2 - In 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Germany rose by 6.1%, with 3.2 percentage points attributed to energy price increases, leading to higher interest rates that suppress investment and consumption [5][8] - The manufacturing sector, heavily reliant on energy, lost orders worth 12 billion euros in 2023, with a 7% decline in automobile exports due to rising energy costs [6][8] - The political landscape is shifting, with rising support for parties advocating to pause the energy transition, reflecting public discontent with current policies [8][10] Group 3 - Germany's previous reliance on Russian energy, which accounted for 55% of its energy imports, has been abruptly severed, leading to increased costs and economic challenges [10][11] - The government has allocated 5 billion euros to subsidize low-income households, but this only covers 30% of the funding gap, indicating limited relief from rising costs [8][10] - Without accelerated adoption of heat pumps and grid improvements, heating costs could rise by an additional 30% by 2030, creating a dilemma between energy security and public welfare [8][11]