The federal and state governments have jointly committed to shaping the structural change in the coal regions.
The enormous tax funds for the future of the plagued regions are a good sign.
Under normal conditions, an earlier exit than 2038 might have been possible.
But since Putin invaded Ukraine, nothing is normal anymore, as skyrocketing energy prices in this country show.
For this reason alone, the East German heads of government are tearing their hair out as to why not all the existing capacities for energy production have long since been used.
High efficiency
After 1989, the most modern coal-fired power plants in the world were built in Lusatia, not low in carbon dioxide, but with a comparatively high level of efficiency.
Leaving them switched off in the current situation just because a plan drawn up in normal times provides for it is not only difficult for the three Prime Ministers Haseloff, Kretschmer and Woidke to bear.
But even if Scholz wanted to, he cannot decide the matter alone.
His coalition partners are developing centrifugal forces, and in his own ranks there is still the great illusion that the energy transition must be implemented now, whatever the cost.
As long as electricity comes “from the socket” for some people, i.e. there is no insight into what is now necessary, it will not succeed.