Solz rules out extension of nuclear disarmament process

As German Chancellor Olaf Solz sees it, there is no question of extending the operation of nuclear power plants to offset possible energy shortages due to cuts in gas supplies from Russia.

“Experts are telling us: it’s not going to work,” Soltz said in an interview with the Münchner Merkur newspaper, the contents of which came to the attention of the German Agency before being published in its paper today.

The phasing out of nuclear power had been decided for a long time, the chancellor reminded.

The supply of nuclear fuel and the necessary shutdowns for the maintenance of these plants were planned according to this plan, he explained, with the fuel rods being sufficient until the end of the year. It would take at least 12 to 18 months to get new ones, he stressed.

“I wholeheartedly support the phasing out of nuclear power with all my heart. At the same time, if it were possible to extend the operation of the plants for one to two years without difficulty, few would object,” he said, adding that something was not possible. such.

The rise in prices due to the Russian military invasion of Ukraine will be felt in Germany for quite some time to come, the Social Democrat noted.

This pushed him to restore the practice of coordinated action, he continued. It referred to a public consultation process involving representatives from the business, political and trade unions dating back to the 1960s, with the aim of setting long-term goals and taking into account the interests of all.

The first such meeting will take place on July 4. The aim is “to meet and draw up a joint plan on how we can relieve stress for employees.”

Mr Soltz also said he would propose setting up a special climate group at the forthcoming G7 summit. The members of this group will aim to become climate neutral by 2050 and will develop common processes to achieve it, he explained.

SOURCE: AMPE