Germany's energy policy is under scrutiny as internal government divisions over nuclear power and renewables come to light. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), recently attended a meeting of pro-nuclear EU states in Brussels, a move that clashed with Environment Minister Carsten Schneider's (SPD) firm stance on Germany's nuclear phase-out. The disagreement underscores deeper tensions within the coalition government over the country's energy future.

Reiche's decision to align with nuclear-supporting nations like France, which operates 55 reactors, has drawn criticism from Schneider, who oversees nuclear safety and waste management. "We have decided to phase out nuclear power. This has also been accepted by society," Schneider emphasized. Germany officially ended its nuclear program in 2023, shifting focus to renewables like wind and solar. However, Reiche's openness to "all technologies" signals a potential policy rift.

The dispute was further fueled by a joint Franco-German paper advocating for an energy mix based on "climate neutrality, competitiveness, and sovereignty." While France champions nuclear power for its low emissions, Germany faces challenges balancing its renewable ambitions with the need for reliable energy sources. The government's plan to build 20 new gas-fired power plants, announced by Reiche, has also raised alarms. Critics argue this could derail Germany's 2045 climate neutrality goal, as gas plants, though cleaner than coal, still emit significant greenhouse gases.

Climate experts, including Marc Oliver Bettzüge of the University of Cologne, warn that Germany lacks a concrete roadmap to achieve its targets. "At this point in time, it is not clear how the federal government intends to achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2045," Bettzüge told Der Spiegel. The ongoing ministerial clashes and reliance on fossil fuels threaten to undermine Germany's leadership in the global energy transition.