New German coalition puts climate protection on back burner
On 9 April 2025, Germany’s incoming government of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) concluded a governing ‘contract’ that paves the way for the partners to take office in May. The new chancellor will be CDU chief Friedrich Merz, who underscored in the campaign that climate protection would not be a top priority. Paul Hockenos reports. The coalition contract’s lukewarm measures – and selective reversal of past policies – are thus no surprise. But given the hundreds of billions now available to the new government through changed budgetary legislation, activists and energy experts had hoped for much better. In several areas, the incoming government didn’t diverge significantly from the outgoing centre-left coalition. After all, Germany’s climate goals are inscribed in German law and the EU, too, has benchmarks that every country is required to hit. Thus, renewable energy is set to expand further and Germany will continue to build out the necessary power grid, including overhead lines, to facilitate it. Moreover, new measures addressing energy sharing and tenant electricity will enable neighbours and communities …
On 9 April 2025, Germany’s incoming government of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) concluded a governing ‘contract’ that paves the way for the partners to take office in May. The new chancellor will be CDU chief Friedrich Merz, who underscored in the campaign that climate protection would not be a top priority. Paul Hockenos reports. Credits: WilfriedB | Shutterstock…
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