In the dispute between the traffic light coalition about the further use of nuclear power plants, the time pressure is growing. After the Green Party Congress, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) met with Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) for another crisis meeting in the Chancellery on Sunday. It was then agreed not to disclose the content. According to information from the German Press Agency, a continuation of the talks was prepared for Monday. However, there was initially no official announcement.
A compromise did not emerge at the weekend - at least not publicly. The Greens want to keep the two southern German nuclear power plants Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 in reserve until April 15 and continue to use them to generate electricity if necessary. The third remaining Emsland nuclear power plant, on the other hand, is to be finally shut down on January 1, 2023.
The FDP wants that
In view of the sharp rise in energy prices, the FDP, on the other hand, is demanding that all three power plants continue to operate until 2024 and, if necessary, that nuclear power plants that have already been shut down be reactivated. Party leader Lindner urged the Greens to give in on Twitter on Saturday. "When it comes to averting damage to our country, reducing high energy prices and preventing blackouts, then for me there are no red lines. This is not about partisan politics. I've jumped over my fiscal shadow billions of times," wrote the finance minister.
The Greens had previously confirmed the position of their party leadership at a party conference. This leaves Habeck with little room for maneuver in the negotiations with the two coalition partners.
Nuclear phase-out is anchored in law
The nuclear phase-out at the turn of the year is anchored in law. A change in the law is necessary for each extension of terms. So that this can then also be implemented, it must be decided by the Bundestag in the week beginning this Monday. For this to happen, the coalition factions must come to an agreement by Wednesday at the latest.
Scholz promised a quick agreement on Friday. "We will solve the very specific practical question very quickly, promptly by next week," said the SPD politician.
The SPD does not want to commit itself
The SPD does not position itself clearly in the dispute, but is more on the side of the Greens. Above all, she insists on finding a quick solution.
SPD parliamentary group leader Katja Mast called for "healthy political pragmatism". "My impression is that people are not interested in who has which political stakes in the nuclear debate," she told the German Press Agency. It is much more important how energy security can be established and how energy prices can be lowered. "I'm confident that the traffic light will solve these questions. Timely and with the necessary political seriousness."
Green leader Omid Nouripour admitted: "Time is of the essence." At RTL/ntv he was cautiously optimistic. "We will talk to each other and, of course, as always, we will find a solution."
That's what the "double boom" decision says
Nouripour pointed out that the so-called "double boom" decision of the federal government states that in an emergency the two southern German nuclear power plants could continue to operate to a limited extent; that means that the Emsland nuclear power plant will be shut down. "That's the decision that we agreed on in the coalition." However, the FDP argues that its boss Lindner has made it clear publicly that he has a different position.
A significantly longer operation of nuclear power plants would be associated with the procurement of new fuel elements, which the Greens rejected at the party conference. "Bündnis 90/Die Grünen will not agree to any legal regulation in the Bundestag that would procure new fuel elements or the new enriched uranium required for them," says the approved motion. The party leadership had stressed shortly before the party conference that the result of the vote was binding for the upcoming talks with the SPD and FDP.
Merz warns against green hostage
CDU leader Friedrich Merz said at a CDU event in Villingen-Schwenningen that the whole world was stunned by the debate being held in this country. All three remaining nuclear power plants would have to remain online. With regard to the decisions of the Green Party Congress, Merz said that one was on the way "to be taken hostage by a Green Party, which, for purely ideological reasons, is taking this sensible path, which the overwhelming majority of people in Germany consider sensible. blocked - just so that the founding myth of this party survives this party congress undamaged".
