Climate Politics
Germany’s Looming Snap Vote Throws Wrench Into Energy Goals
- Energy was key area of contention within three-party coalition
- Industry warns political crisis mustn’t delay key measures
This article is for subscribers only.
High energy costs and an uncertain transition to cleaner fuels have been a key driver behind Germany’s exodus of industrial giants in recent years. The ruling coalition’s sudden dissolution and looming snap election will only compound the problem.
The government led by Social Democrats, Greens and Liberal Democrats — forged in the early days of the energy crisis — once found unlikely common ground in its response to soaring gas and power costs and defense spending. But Chancellor Olaf Scholz said the burden posed by high energy prices was among key areas that led to the coalition’s falling apart, with hawkish finance minister Christian Lindner opposing relief for grid fees and pushing to delay the country’s climate goals.