Until 2027

Government agrees on withdrawal from Russian gas

The coalition wants to phase out Russian natural gas supplies by 2027.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com)

The coalition government has reached an agreement on the long-disputed energy chapter. The ÖVP and Greens have committed to withdrawing from Russian natural gas supplies by 2027.

This was reported unanimously by several media outlets such as the Ö1 "Mittagsjournal" on Saturday. However, a strategy for this has not yet been drawn up and must first be developed. Negotiations on withdrawing from Russian natural gas supplies have been going on for a long time. In the current version of the security doctrine, Russia is still named as a strategic partner.

After the Greens recently agreed to the nomination of Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) as the new EU Commissioner, movement was expected in the negotiations. However, both government circles said on Saturday that final negotiations were still being held on the security strategy.

"In line with the European Council"
 "In line with the decisions of the European Council, Austria wants to end its dependence on Russian energy imports in order to protect the economy and households from new price and supply risks," according to a paper that was published. The European Commission has committed to a Europe-wide phase-out of Russian natural gas supplies by 2027.

Austria wants (...) to protect the economy and households from new price and supply risks.

Papier zu Sicherheitsstrategie

Households and the economy must be given the best possible support in this transition, the paper states. How this is to be achieved remains to be seen.

FPÖ: Price increase looms
The FPÖ sees a "political act of madness". A further increase in the already extremely high energy prices is imminent, said energy and economic spokesman Axel Kassegger in a press release. Households, industry and businesses would have to foot the bill.