BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has committed to sustainable steel production in the debate about the future of the German steel industry. “I am a supporter of renewable energy and the use of hydrogen – and therefore also green steel production,” the CDU politician told the newspapers of the Funke media group. “I believe in hydrogen technology.”
However, you have to set realistic goals and keep realistic timelines in mind. “Unfortunately, we do not yet have the green hydrogen we need at competitive prices and we do not have the steel production options that can be powered by hydrogen.” Accordingly, the path to green steel must be designed in such a way that steel production does not suffer as a result. “Our most important goal must be to maintain steel production in Germany,” emphasized Merz.
Merz had doubts about hydrogen
The CDU leader drew criticism on Monday with statements about the “green” future of the German steel industry. At a works council conference of the CDU employee wing CDA in Bochum, he said: “I personally don’t believe that the quick switch to a hydrogen-powered steelworks will be successful. Where is the hydrogen supposed to come from? We don’t have it. And if we do that If we make hydrogen, then a ton of steel is still at least 300 euros more expensive than if it was previously produced conventionally.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded to Merz’s statements by saying that German steel production faces a bleak future if its conversion to “green steel” remains without government support. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) and IG Metall had accused Merz of saying that his statements should be understood to mean that German steel production would come to an end and that tens of thousands of jobs would be lost.
Merz now rejected this. With him, the interests of the steel workers in Germany are “better looked after than with anyone else. Because we won’t shut anything down until we have something better.” This would secure jobs in the Ruhr area and in the entire steel and metal industry. “By that I mean the one here too Defense industrythat urgently needs steel from Germany,” said Merz./kli/DP/mis
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