A war of words has erupted between the member parties of the German centrist coalition over the use of nuclear energy.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz—of the centre-right CDU party—has been critical of his country’s decision to exit nuclear energy, which he said was depriving Germany of cheap and reliable electricity.
While he does not plan to reopen conventional nuclear power stations, he has vowed to invest in new technologies, including small modular reactors and nuclear fusion.
Signalling a shift in policy, the government recently told France that it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation.
“Technologies that emit no CO2 or are low in CO2 should be prioritised,” Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) said on Thursday, May 22nd, at a meeting with her EU counterparts in Brussels.
However, Environment Minister Carsten Schneider—of the Social Democrats—poured cold water on the plans, saying “statements by individual members of the federal government” do not amount to government policy.
“Nuclear power entails incalculable risks—with regards to accidents and the spread of radioactive material. I can’t seriously call such technology sustainable,” the minister added.
The decision to shut down all of the country’s seventeen reactors was made by the Angela Merkel government in 2011, following the Fukushima disaster. The last three remaining plants were closed by the previous left-wing cabinet.
The move, together with the decision to stop importing cheap Russian gas, has contributed to high energy costs—weakening industrial output and the already declining economy.The social democrats’ harsh rejection of nuclear power comes at a time when governments in countries such as Italy and Belgium want to invest in nuclear energy. A new wave of pro-nuclear environmental organisations is also emerging.
