Politically brilliant or a sign of weakness? Olaf Scholz’s decision on the lifetime of the German nuclear power plants triggered mixed reactions in the press.
boom The Chancellor has spoken. And a word of power. The three German nuclear power plants Isar 2, Neckarwestheim 2 and Emsland should be able to continue supplying electricity until April 15, 2023. Olaf Scholz hopes that this will settle the dispute between the Greens and the FDP over energy policy. In the comment columns of the German media, his actions are usually not interpreted as a strength. The press reviews:
Press comments on Scholz’ nuclear power plant decision
“Southgerman newspaper” (Munich): “The Scholz’sche Basta is not a word of power, but a letter of power. Scholz did not put himself on a stage to pose as a powerful, last authority. Instead, he has instructed three ministries in a public letter to let three German nuclear reactors run until April 2023. In it, Scholz refers very dryly and coolly to his authority to set guidelines, which the constitution grants him. Translated this means: I am the boss, and you do it now. For Scholz, known as a patient mediator, this is an almost brutal approach and a complete break in style. Rarely, if ever, in recent history has a chancellor so visibly demoted his coalition partners to ministerial followers of orders.”
“Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”: “For legal and technical reasons, it was high time that a decision was made. It’s the right thing to do. In the current situation, shutting down even one of the last three available nuclear power plants would be madness in terms of energy and foreign policy. How do you want from demand active solidarity from neighboring countries, especially France, in winter if you don’t use your own energy sources?”
“Bild” newspaper (Berlin): “Today, nobody can reliably predict when the war and crisis will really be over. Nobody knows how well or badly Germany will get through the winter. And nobody knows whether we will have enough energy in spring – or not. The first Chancellor’s word of power must therefore quickly be followed by a second: the nuclear power plants must run for as long as necessary!”
“Badish newspaper” (Freiburg): “In the matter (…) the Chancellor’s order marks the only possible compromise between his traffic light partners who are at odds over the nuclear issue (and probably also in the SPD). A consensus for minimalists. The FDP gets one for a good three months another reactor in the so-called stretch operation, which the Greens had strictly rejected at the weekend. In return, the use of nuclear power should finally be over after April 15. This would (…) remove the prerequisite for a limited runtime extension from the table. Whether that helps against Putin’s energy war, possible gas and electricity shortages and skyrocketing energy prices? One can only hope that the winter will be mild and the next year miraculously relaxed.”
Northern German Radio (Hamburg): “How confidently does a chancellor rule who, after just ten months in office, informs three ministers in an official letter that he has made the following decision in accordance with his policy competence? What about the authority of a head of government who, in three long Can’t pacify two arguments in his own shop for the sake of the traffic light coalition and the country’s energy security? In the end, he played the policy competence as the penultimate power option. A chancellor only does that once. The next time, Scholz can ask the question of confidence. Incidentally, the Chancellor made the right decision on this matter, even if it came much too late.”
“Baden Latest News” (Karlsruhe) ) and Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens), the traffic light coalition could not report an agreement. But then Scholz spoke a word of power. Ultimately, all three negotiators can be satisfied with that. Scholz has shown that he can lead when it is ordered. And Habeck and Lindner can tell their party officials that the boss just couldn’t do more this time.”
“Rhine Palatinate” (Ludwigshafen): “On both sides, with the Greens and the FDP, the dispute was ideological – which made a compromise impossible. Olaf Scholz has finally pulled the emergency brake: All three nuclear power plants are to remain in operation until April 15. For the Greens means the chancellor’s word of power is a violent smack, but Habeck will be secretly relieved: In front of his party, he is at least not there as a flop.
Source: Stern
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
