(new: details)
BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German government is struggling to reach a common position on whether nuclear power should be classified as sustainable at the EU level. "Discussions are ongoing at the European level with our European partners, with the European Commission, and also within the federal government," said deputy government spokesman Sebastian Hille in Berlin.
Previously, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider had stated that Germany continues to reject this classification. "Statements by individual members of the federal government that there is a new openness here are private opinions," the SPD politician told the German Press Agency in Berlin. "There is no position on this from the federal government, nor will there be one with the SPD in the future."
German-French paper would be a change of course
In a joint paper published by the governments in Paris and Berlin on May 7, during the inaugural visit of the newly elected Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) to Paris, it was stated that a German-French restart in energy policy would be implemented, "based on climate neutrality, competitiveness, and sovereignty."and sovereignty."
This means, for example, ensuring equal treatment at EU level for all low-emission energies. Nuclear energy, which plays an important role in France, is also considered low-emission. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche (CDU) said on Thursday in Brussels that we must be open to all technologies.
French President Emmanuel Macron put it this way during a joint appearance with Merz earlier this month: "In order to guarantee our energy sovereignty while respecting national decisions, we call for an end to all discrimination against low-carbon energies, both nuclear and renewable, at the European level."
Schneider: Nuclear power poses incalculable risks
Schneider, on the other hand, said that Germany had decided in favor of an energy system without nuclear power for good reasons. "Nuclear power is significantly more expensive than renewable alternatives, which Germany has already made great strides in expanding and which are also an economically successful location factor. Nuclear power carries incalculable risks—in terms of accidents and the spread of radioactive material. I cannot seriously describe such a technology as sustainable."
Germany rejects the financing of nuclear power plants with EU funds, Schneider said. "This also applies to attempts to equate nuclear power with sustainable power generation from renewable energies." However, he said Germany respects the decision of other EU states to use nuclear energy as long as these plants do not pose a threat to the German population.
Greens warn of risks
Green Party leader Felix Banaszak told the dpa that Reiche wanted to sell "expensive and dangerous nuclear power as climate-friendly." "Describing nuclear power as a sustainable investment is ecologically, financially, and socially irresponsible, damages the energy transition, and undermines European climate targets." Renewable energies must be prioritized in Europe. /hrz/DP/men
