Dispute with Paris resolved: Berlin abandons blockade against nuclear power as low-emission energy

Nuclear power is an essential component of the French energy mix. Germany has long blocked Paris's commitments in this area at the EU level. But under Chancellor Merz, the government is changing its position—and receiving important commitments in return.

Germany and France have largely resolved their long-running dispute over nuclear power. At a government summit in southern France, both countries agreed on a joint approach at the European level to achieve equal treatment of low-emission energy sources, including nuclear energy. Despite differing models—France is committed to expanding nuclear energy, while Germany has shut down all its nuclear power plants—both countries no longer want to stand in each other's way in energy policy, but rather support each other.

In concrete terms, this means that Germany will no longer oppose France's use of nuclear energy, for example, at the level of European legislation. The French are not interested in financing nuclear facilities with EU funds, but rather in funding research projects to develop new, smaller reactor types.

Germany, in turn, is securing France's support in developing hydrogen connections to southwestern Europe and in strengthening the integration of electricity grids between Germany and France. This was also enshrined in the agreement in principle reached in Toulon, southern France.

The German government had previously expressed disagreement on several occasions regarding equal treatment of low-emission energy sources and the classification of nuclear power as sustainable. Opposition came from the SPD, which now appears to support the agreement in principle reached with France. Merz and Macron had already announced the new joint course in energy policy during the Chancellor's inaugural visit to Paris in early May.