CDU's Fossil Fuel Plan Undermines Long-Term Economic Resilience

Germany is experiencing a climate policy rollback as the federal government prioritizes short-term economic relief over climate protection. Friedrich Merz, CDU leader, stated in a Berlin keynote that 'the economy is the foundation for almost everything, including climate protection,' and argued that environmental standards must not endanger the country's industrial core. This stance was reaffirmed at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue. Economic Minister Katherina Reiche is implementing this course through the network package, the EEG amendment, and the construction of new gas-fired power plants, effectively slowing the energy transition to reduce electricity costs in the short term. However, research indicates that climate damages reduce economic output, suggesting that this approach may undermine long-term economic resilience rather than strengthen it. The article, published in Der Freitag, questions whether the strategy truly benefits the economy.