The Isar 2 nuclear reactor should now continue to run until April 2023 at the latest. That's not enough for the state government. And Greens and FDP? Both argue that they have prevailed within the traffic light.
Munich/Berlin (dpa/lby) - The Bavarian state government made up of the CSU and Free Voters has criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz's (SPD) decision to continue operating the remaining three German nuclear power plants as insufficient and disappointing. "Is that all? What a disappointment," wrote Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) on Twitter on Monday evening. The problem is only adjourned. "This is a solution to the traffic light dispute, but not for the electricity problem in Germany," argued Söder and warned: "The danger of a blackout in the coming year remains."
Söder again criticized the federal government from the SPD, Greens and FDP: "The traffic light accepts rising electricity prices. This coalition is a risk for Germany as a business location. The Greens have enforced their ideology and the FDP has once again too much promised."
Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger (free voters) criticized: "The chancellor jumps too short with April." And the Minister of Energy has decided not to generate energy for ideological reasons. "If the Chancellor now has to extend all three nuclear power plants due to public pressure, but the Ministry of Energy only wanted two, that gives a deep insight," said Aiwanger. Confidence in the federal government, whether it is really doing everything to ensure the energy supply in Germany, has been deeply shaken. "No one believes anymore that the energy problems will be solved by April to the extent that we will no longer need nuclear power. We urgently need to ensure that nuclear power is still available for the winter of 2023/24."
In the evening, a government spokesman announced Scholz's decision to continue operating three German nuclear power plants - including the Meiler Isar 2 in Bavaria. The three power plants should be able to continue running until mid-April next year at the latest. "The legal basis will be created to enable the power operation of the Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland nuclear power plants beyond December 31, 2022 until April 15, 2023 at the latest," says a letter sent to Economics Minister Robert Habeck and Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (both Greens) and Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).
For days, the FDP and the Greens in particular had been arguing about whether and for how long the three nuclear power plants that were still in operation should continue to operate. At a party congress over the weekend, the Greens decided to support so-called stretching operations for the Isar 2 and Neckarwestheim 2 kilns until mid-April 2023 if necessary.
The FDP also wanted to keep the third Emsland nuclear power plant connected to the grid and run all three until 2024. If necessary, nuclear power plants that have already been shut down should also be reactivated.
Greens and FDP rated Scholz's decision as a success for their own party. "Chancellor supports Green Line," wrote Green Party leader Katharina Schulze on Twitter. There will be no further operation of the kiln until 2024, but only a stretching operation in order to be prepared for the "difficult winter". "Nuclear phase-out sealed. No new fuel rods. Good!" she added.
FDP parliamentary group leader Martin Hagen also wrote on Twitter: "Reasonable decision." Running all three reactors beyond December 31 would lower electricity prices, ensure grid stability and be good for the climate. "The persistent commitment of the FDP has paid off. Scholz has shown leadership and averted damage to our country. Reason instead of ideology," wrote Hagen.
