Germany Retracts Opposition to Nuclear Power under Chancellor Merz’s Leadership

Germany, a staunch proponent of phasing out nuclear power, has reversed its position, potentially accelerating the adoption of nuclear energy within the European Union (EU). This shift follows the new government, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, retracting its long-held opposition to nuclear power.

On May 19 (local time), the Financial Times (FT) reported that the German government recently declared it would no longer obstruct France’s efforts to treat nuclear energy on par with renewable energy in EU law.

The FT described Germany’s decision as removing a major obstacle to EU energy policymaking and “part of Chancellor Merz’s efforts to revive Franco-German cooperation.” Given France’s status as the sole nuclear-armed state in Europe, Germany’s policy change is interpreted as a signal of its willingness to strengthen and collaborate on a shared European nuclear umbrella with France.

A French official stated, “Germany has decided to be very pragmatic on the nuclear issue,” adding that “all the biases against nuclear, which still exist in many EU legal texts, will be removed.” A German official also assessed the move as “a major turning point in policy.”

Germany has long opposed France’s attempts to classify nuclear power as green energy. The conflict between these two influential nations has hampered EU nuclear policy. Guntram Wolff, senior fellow at the Bruegel think tank, remarked, “With France and Germany reconciled, it will be easier to deal with energy issues in the EU,” adding that “politically, Merz is also thinking about the ‘nuclear umbrella.’” Lars-Hendrik Röller, former chief economic advisor to Chancellor Merkel, added, “If France and Germany agree, the EU can move forward much more easily.”

While the EU initially actively pursued phasing out nuclear power, the war in Ukraine has led to soaring electricity prices and an energy security crisis. On July 15, the Belgian parliament reversed its 20-year-old nuclear phase-out policy, passing a government proposal to allow the construction of new reactors. Denmark is also increasingly likely to reconsider its 40-year ban on nuclear power. Italy approved a law permitting the use of nuclear technology in March, and Spain, recently hit by a major power outage, is reconsidering its nuclear closure plans. According to the FT, Austria is currently the only EU member state opposed to nuclear power.