Germany's Energy Realpolitik: Principles for Profit
THE CLAIM: Deutsche Welle reports on German CDU leader Friedrich Merz’s discussions in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, framed as Germany’s pursuit of 'closer partnerships' and diversification of energy and business ties. The implication is one of proactive, pragmatic statecraft – a nation simply securing its future. THE EVIDENCE: Merz, leading a business delegation, met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman and Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The stated goals are boilerplate diplomatic speak: 'strengthening economic relations' (DW, 2024). But let’s not pretend this is about fostering democracy or human rights. Germany, under pressure to replace Russian fossil fuels, is directly engaging with states notorious for their human rights records, just as Europe continues to import
significant quantities of discounted Russian oil through various intermediaries, according to a 2023 report by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). THE CONTRADICTIONS: Germany, historically a vocal proponent of human rights and democratic values, suddenly finds these principles quite flexible when energy security and lucrative investment opportunities are on the table. One might
wonder why concerns about press freedom, women's rights, or the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi (which the UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard found 'credible evidence' implicating high-level Saudi officials) seem to vanish when gas contracts are being discussed. This isn't just an ideological inconsistency; it's a profound display of double standards. Berlin is effectively sanctioning one