European Union leaders are struggling to find immediate practical solutions on how to deal with the energy crisis while avoiding an open rift between Germany and France. After day-long talks in Brussels that dragged well into this morning (October 21), the 27 EU leaders papered over divisions between some of the biggest member states and at least agreed to continue working on ways to impose a gas price cap in case of big price increases.
French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted his work with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to create a veneer of unity after talks that started early yesterday. He said that, together with close technical advisers: “I will see Chancellor Scholz in Paris next week so that we can move forward, with our teams, on all the issues.”
Mr Scholz said the main issue was curbing “spikes” in gas trading that may last only a few hours but still send prices excessively upward. He said measures to counter that should be further examined.
