After Chancellor Scholz’s decision, the nuclear power plant dispute between the Greens and the FDP seems to have been resolved. Ministers Habeck and Lindner, who are particularly exposed, emphasize the positive aspects of Scholz’s decision. They seem almost relieved that peace has now returned.
Federal Finance Minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner praised Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s decision to leave a total of three nuclear power plants on the grid after the turn of the year. “The partners and friends of the Greens had a party conference decision that made any further negotiations more difficult, and the Chancellor accelerated a process that is now following,” said Lindner on ntv. “We now have a good solution.”
Lindner added that he understood that this was difficult for the Greens, but it was not about a permanent re-entry, but about “getting through the crisis well”. The FDP had demanded the continued operation of not just two, but three nuclear power plants – and got them. Also, Lindner’s party actually wanted a longer operation. The Chancellor, on the other hand, emphasized that it would be over by April 15 at the latest. This is in the spirit of the Greens.
Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck admitted at an event for medium-sized companies in Berlin that the disagreement on the subject in the traffic light coalition was certainly not a highlight. In this respect, the word of power on the forced nuclear compromise was good and right. “The line has now been drawn,” said the Green politician. At the same event, Lindner vowed to improve: “We are pulling together.”
One day after the chancellor’s word of power, the differences in the nuclear power plant dispute seem to have been resolved. In an interview with ntv, Lindner looked ahead: “The recent decision for the third, last nuclear power plant brings at least 1.7 terawatts of additional electricity production, which we could not have done without.” The fact that this has now been clarified shows that Germany is acting “free of ideology” when it comes to energy policy: “This is a good signal that people can rely on the government to avert damage to the country,” said Lindner.
Habeck stated that Germany had a good chance of winning the economic disputes against Russia after its attack on Ukraine. “We have to win them.” Habeck also confirmed that the federal government would do everything possible to protect the substance of the economy.
The federal government is planning a multi-billion defense shield to cushion the consequences of high energy prices for companies and gas customers. Habeck made it clear that extended state aid for small and medium-sized companies still required the approval of the EU Commission. He criticized that state aid procedures took far too long and that decisions needed to be taken more quickly.
