The Greens are calling for course corrections in energy and economic policy: quickly get out of lignite, more photovoltaics on roofs. In doing so, they see a challenge not only to the state.
Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - The Greens in Saxony-Anhalt are pushing for better use of solar energy. "The country must be a role model for photovoltaic systems on roofs," said Co-Chairwoman Madeleine Linke of the German Press Agency. She also called on the municipalities to take on a pioneering role. If necessary, monument protection should be relaxed so that the state and municipalities can better implement projects on their own properties.
But not only the state, but also companies should become more active according to the will of the co-head of state of the Greens. "In the same way, photovoltaics must be mandatory when new commercial units are built. We're waiting for a new federal law."
Last week, the party called for changes in energy policy and advocated an earlier phase-out of lignite in Saxony-Anhalt. The opposition Greens demanded a more rapid expansion of renewable energies from the state government.
In principle, nuclear power should be avoided in the future. "Proposals to build new nuclear power plants are obscure," said co-head of state Dennis Helmich on considerations that FDP parliamentary group leader Andreas Silbersack had recently expressed. "If the leader of the FDP faction, as a lawyer and experienced local politician, knows how long it takes to build a gym, then I would like to know how he thinks he can plan a nuclear power plant in a relevant period of time, let alone build it," says Helmich. "It will take 15 or 20 years and is currently not helping at all. We have to push ahead with the expansion of renewable energies."
Helmich and Linke expressed understanding for the protests against the increased cost of living. "We're talking to people who are now taking to the streets," said the 30-year-old. "We've been looking for dialogue, but we're not the ones calling for demos now."
