From BZ/dpa
FDP leader and Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner has demanded the continued operation of the three nuclear power plants still in production – regardless of the result of the second stress test, which was expected in the evening.
“In these times, all possibilities should be used to reduce the electricity price for people and companies,” said Lindner on Monday of the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. “From my point of view, this is an economic policy stress test that must also play a role in addition to the energy policy stress test.”
A massive conflict is looming in the traffic light coalition. So far, both the Greens and the SPD are only willing to continue operation for a limited period of time, should the stress test suggest this.
When asked whether he advocated continued operation of the nuclear power plants for economic reasons even without the recommendation of the stress test, Lindner replied: “Exactly. In the coalition you have to talk about the topic and make an assessment. “My advice to us is to assess the physical issues of grid stability and the economic issues of energy prices together,” he said.
“We also have to recognize that a very large majority of the population is now of the opinion that nuclear energy will make an important transitional contribution. People have concerns,” said Lindner. “Our cities are already dark. At the same time we are told that we have no electricity problem. That doesn’t make sense to me.”
“We shouldn’t be too picky, but enable everything that makes our lives easier, physically and economically,” demanded the FDP leader. Everything from the exploration of domestic oil and gas deposits, which are now economical in view of world market prices, the continued operation of nuclear power plants until at least 2024, through the mobilization of all coal capacities to all colors of hydrogen, must be used.