In the debate about extending the service life of nuclear and coal-fired power plants, a conflict is emerging within the federal government.

In view of the war in Ukraine and Russia's energy dependency, Green Ministers Robert Habeck (Economy) and Annalena Baerbock (Foreign Affairs) had not ruled out the temporary continued operation of coal-fired power plants.

Habeck also thinks it is possible that the last three nuclear reactors, which are supposed to go offline at the end of the year, could continue to run.

Energy suppliers, business and several state governments are open to the plans.

Julia Loehr

Business correspondent in Berlin.

  • Follow I follow

Christian Geinitz

Business correspondent in Berlin

  • Follow I follow

Winand von Petersdorff-Campen

Economic correspondent in Washington.

  • Follow I follow

Criticism is now coming from Habeck and Baerbock's party colleague and Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens).

"For safety reasons, I don't think it's justifiable to extend the service life of the last three nuclear power plants in Germany," she told the FAZ on Thursday.

In the time of crisis, continued operation could make the Federal Republic "even more vulnerable," she warned.

"The great worldwide concern about the safety of nuclear power plants in the Ukraine makes us all dramatically aware of the potential extent of damage from nuclear power plants." Of course, it is necessary to make the supply crisis-proof.

But that means something different for the minister: “First: Reduce energy dependency on other countries.

We are doing this by accelerating the expansion of renewable energies.

And secondly: no further risk factors and therefore no extension of the term.”

Scientists see the disagreement at the cabinet table as a return to the factional dispute between real and fundamental politicians.

The green base, the environmental and climate movement are considered to be more left-wing and fundamental, and the same can be said of parts of the younger parliamentary group.

Lemke and Family Minister Anne Spiegel represent this camp in the cabinet, while Habeck, Baerbock and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir are assigned to the “Realos”.

Wirtschaftsweiser praises the Greens' "sense of reality".

The Frankfurt economist Volker Wieland, member of the Advisory Council for the assessment of the overall economic development, told the FAZ: “It is very encouraging how much sense of reality Habeck and Baerbock show.

That they seem willing to use nuclear power and coal longer to ensure security of supply, even if many in their party don't like it.

They have to fight it out." The world situation speaks for the Realo wing, says the economic wise man: "Now is not the time to push through ideological goals, but realpolitik." He also sees this question in the light of maintaining power and the ability to govern: " If the Greens disabled the traffic lights, they would probably provoke a state-supporting red-black-yellow solution.”

The democracy researcher Wolfgang Merkel from the Berlin Social Science Center reminded that the peace movement is just as much a basis for the Greens as the anti-nuclear movement.

A "shift in priorities" is currently taking place in the party in a manner similar to that seen in 1999 during the deployment of the German army in Kosovo.

In view of the “ethnic cleansing” there, Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer (Greens) justified the posting at the time by saying that the Greens stood for “Never again war”, but also for “Never again Auschwitz”.

For the Greens, the "moral subtext" is very important, which was addressed by the attack on Ukraine and led to the change of course in energy policy, according to the political scientist.

Something similar can be observed in terms of security policy in the SPD.

Baerbock and Habeck are not just departmental ministers, but feel that they are statesmanlike and responsible for politics as a whole.

In the case of Habeck, there is also the fact that, as Minister of Energy, he has to guarantee security of supply.

According to Merkel, however, Lemke is a “relatively unknown second-rate minister” who is trying to make a name for herself with the topic.

On the other hand, it is not their ultimately constant position that “needs to be legitimized”, but the about-face of the other ministers.

Only in weeks or months, when it is clear how the war and fuel supplies are developing, will it become clear which side will prevail.

During his visit to Washington, Habeck stressed that he was not considering extending the lifespan of nuclear power plants ideologically, but to be prepared for a potential emergency situation.

But initial talks with energy suppliers and other experts in the state governments have shown that this is "not a helpful way".

The operating licenses expired at the end of the year.

"Letting nuclear power plants run without a safety permit seems to me to be driving the devil out with Beelzebub," Habeck said after speaking with US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.

A new approval is also difficult because this is usually associated with new conditions.

For the next two winters, "we will have better alternatives," said Habeck.