Schröder’s victory a blow for nuclear power

1 October 1998


The German nuclear industry will oppose plans to phase out nuclear power following Gerhard Schröd-er’s victory in the general election.

“There are economic and ecological arguments,” says Manfred Petroll of the Deutches Atomforum. “This will destroy investments, destroy capital and destroy jobs. It is also against the aims of reducing CO2 emissions.” One of the Green party’s key demands is to end nuclear power, something Schröder’s Social Demo-crats (SPD) are also committed to.

“Atomic power cannot be advocated because of the large safety risks and the danger of unforeseen damage,” says the SPD manifesto. “The SPD-led government will do its utmost to end the use of nuclear power as quickly as possible.” Schröder has expressed an aim to develop an energy consensus in conjunction with the German utilities. The time-frame and strategy for the phase-out are still up for discussion.

Whilst the Green party wants nuclear power to be phased out within ten years, Schröder, who comes from a state dependent on nuclear power, has said 20-30 years is more realistic.



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