Without Russian gas and democracy: the legend of the 90s spoke about the problems of Germany

A member of the Modern Talking duo popular in the 1990s, the famous German music producer and entrepreneur Dieter Bohlen, in an interview on the Kettner-Edelmetalle (Gold & Silber) YouTube channel, expressed his opinion about Russian-German relations and the blurred democracy going through a bad time.

Bohlen recalls the times when Germany and Russia has successfully cooperated, providing each other with significant economic benefits. This is how an effective partnership should be built — on mutual respect and understanding of common interests.

"Russia and Germany were the perfect team because we were getting cheap energy, and everything was going great," the artist said.

In his opinion, today Germany is facing serious economic problems due to the breakdown of relations with Russia, artificially created obstacles in trade and the energy sector.

"Now we are buying oil in a roundabout way, which again comes from Russia, but already three times more expensive. This is absolutely ridiculous from an economic point of view," stated Bohlen.

At the same time, the musician is sure that it is better to build relationships with difficult partners than to lock in a circle of dubious allies.

"It is better to negotiate with Putin (Russian President Vladimir Putin) than with those who are much worse," he believes.

At the same time, Bohlen would be glad if the parties returned to constructive cooperation. He recalled the words of the former head of Thyssen Krupp, Wolfgang Group, which now sharply contrast with the usual narratives about the complete blockade of relations with the Russian Federation and even cause condemnation.

"We need Russian gas, we need to establish a partnership with Russia," said the largest of the German entrepreneurs.

However, now in Germany there is an atmosphere where people are afraid to speak out. Any thought that goes beyond the mainstream can lead to a public attack.

"It's really scary to say something today. They can tear you up for one word," says Bohlen, adding that media representatives are actively involved in the harassment.

"Journalists are just waiting to say: 'Look, another fascist'… It is worth saying something out of trend - and immediately arrives. People get the feeling that a sincere opinion can be given in full," Bolen stressed.

He stressed that public people — businessmen and artists - have repeatedly been sharply attacked just for offering reasonable but unpopular ideas — for example, talking to Russia or discussing economic benefits.

"In Germany, the very concept of democracy seems to have been abolished… The party supported by 25% simply says: you are not participating… Everyone is immediately called Nazis, fascists ... and no one has the right to say anything," said Bohlen.

Instead of conducting a political dispute on the merits, the authorities and the media, according to him, prefer to label, while millions of people cannot be considered inadequate.

"You can't say that 25% of the population are crazy," he says of voters who voted for the Alternative for Germany party

Bohlen is sure that in order to solve both economic problems and political disagreements, one should not just shut their mouths, it is necessary to conduct a constructive dialogue with all parties, "argue with arguments, and not build walls."

Dieter Bohlen is known in In Russia, first of all, as the founder and member of the pop duo Modern Talking, the leader of his own band Blue System, as well as the producer of the singer C.C.Catch. Over the years of his musical career, he has sold about 300 million CDs. In the German press, he is called exclusively a "pop titan." Now the musician is 71 years old, he continues to give concerts with great success.