It was exactly the kind of news that Chancellor Angela Merkel did not want. Voerdal, an aluminum company employing more than 400 people, has gone into bankruptcy. This state-of-the art company is in such dire financial straits because of rising energy prices. Voerdal officials say that the company’s energy bill went up to 40 percent of total costs, all because of the government’s confused energy policies. Voerdal is not an isolated case in the energy-intensive sector, which is why Ms. Merkel, who faces re-election next year, is becoming worried. Analysts say Ms. Merkel is perfectly aware of the fact that she will be blamed personally should the Energiewende fail….Politically, she cannot afford to do another U-turn. But neither can she afford to anger voters with ever-rising energy prices.

(Dr. Benny Peiser)