Heating Industry Conference Erupts in Protest asโข Minister reiche โขCancels Appearance
Berlin – A key โindustry conference focused on the heating sector was overshadowed wednesday byโข the absence of Economics Minister Katherina Reiche, sparking open frustration and criticism from attendees grappling with a collapsing market. Reiche cancelled her appearance just days in advance, citing “scheduling reasons,” a justification met withโฃ skepticism given prior commitments made to heating companies months ago.
The โcancellation quickly became the central topic of the event, with Frederic Leers, spokesman for the Federal Association ofโ the Heating Industry, stating on stage during a panel discussion, “The minister’s absence is a message that is getting across here.” โฃ
Attendees expressed a senseโ of being disregarded, with one event organizer telling t-online, โ”I don’t want โto say that I want Habeck back. But at least he was here every year.” – a reference to former Economics Minister Robert Habeck’s consistent โattendance.
Reiche’s parliamentary state secretary,Stefan Rouenhoff,attempted to address the room on her behalf,but was met with initial laughter and then outright boos. “I ask you to be patient,” Rouenhoff said, visibly taken aback, as restless murmursโค and shouts of “How much longer can we afford โฃthis patience?” โfilled the hall.
The discontent comes as the heating industry faces a severe downturn. The Federal Association of the Heatingโ Industry โฃ(BDH) presented data at the โฃconference showingโ a 30% market collapse since the introduction of theโข “Heatingโ Law” – officially the Building โEnergy Act (GEG) – approximately two years ago, which initiated debate about the future of heatingโค systems in Germany.
