Kaiser Merkel has spoken.We must all obey!

The EU Commission has approved proposals to create a single European energy market.

The Energy Union plan would give the Commission more influence in the negotiation of gas supply contracts.  It is partly designed to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian gas, at a time of tension over the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The proposals still need to be approved by member states and the European Parliament. The Commission says they will give customers more choice, bring down prices and cut down on the use of fossil fuels.   "This is about Europe acting together, for the long term," said Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.  "I want the energy that underpins our economy to be resilient, reliable, secure and increasingly renewable and sustainable."  However critics accuse the Commission of trying to wrest control from member states, while green groups say it should be doing more to cut greenhouse gas emissions.  'More intelligently'   EU countries import 53% of their energy at a cost of around €400bn (£293bn; $454bn), according to EU figures.  Some member states take all their gas from Russia. In total, Russia supplies 23% of the EU's gas, making it Europe's biggest supplier.  But the deteriorating situation in Ukraine has led to fears of disruption to gas supplies. Russia cut off supplies to Ukraine last June in a dispute over unpaid bills, before agreeing to restore them as part of an EU-brokered deal.  "Current events show the stakes - as many Europeans fear they may not have the energy needed to heat their homes," Mr Juncker said.