Those who yesterday were worried about carbon emissions have suddenly closed down all carbon-neutral nuclear power plants and are now using coal instead, Alternative for Germany (AfD) MEP Steffen Kotré has revealed, pointing out a serious contradiction in the German government’s environmental policy.
In an interview with Hungary’s Magyar Hírlap newspaper, the conservative politician slammed the German federal government for its decision to disregard nuclear power as a sustainable energy source, especially at a time when other countries are ramping up their nuclear efforts and reaping the rewards.
“Shutting down the German nuclear power plants was a completely irrational decision,” Kotré said. “They were the safest reactors in the world. Disasters like Chernobyl or Fukushima could never have happened here. And no, there is no reason to be reassured — quite the opposite!”
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The AfD MEP claimed that nuclear power generation in Germany had been shut down “because of a confused political ideology” that will “cause energy prices to rise further and security of supply to fall.”
“The consequences are already visible: Energy-intensive industry will move away and citizens will become poorer. Calm can only return if the German government resumes sensible and realistic policies.”
He added that “the exodus of companies is nothing new, they have long preferred to invest in other countries and relocate their production abroad. While other countries are strengthening their commitment to modern and safe nuclear energy and expanding their capacity, the German government is sacrificing our future and our prosperity.”
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Asked about the sanctions against Russia, Kotré said those are hurting Germany much more than the intended target, Russia.
“The fact is that sanctions hurt Germany the most, and the government is abusing the war to pursue its program of phasing out fossil fuels while hypocritically blaming Russia for the harmful consequences. It is therefore not surprising that no serious steps are being taken to promote peace. The German government is cynical, clearly not interested in the dead,” he added.
AfD would reopen nuclear plants and build new ones
Asked about his party’s energy policy, Kotré said that should it come to power, the AfD would not only reopen existing nuclear plants but also build new ones.
“We will not only restart existing nuclear power plants but also build new ones. Nuclear power generation is virtually CO2-free, so those who fear global warming cannot say no,” Kotré said.
“Germany accounts for less than 2 percent of the world’s man-made CO2 emissions. We must not continue to destroy the country on ideological grounds while others, such as China, are building hundreds of new coal-fired power stations,” he added.
