Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz are pushing for a quick decision to extend nuclear power plant operation

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Markus Söder and Friedrich Merz visiting the Isar 2 nuclear power plant

Photo: Peter Kneffel / dpa

Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder have been pushing for an extension of the lifetime of the last German nuclear power plants for weeks.

Now the two leaders of the Union parties renewed their demands during a visit to the Isar 2 power plant near Landshut.

Söder said the visit provided the information that the nuclear power plant could continue to operate, but that quick decisions were needed.

"Germany has an existential gas problem, and Germany can have a huge electricity problem," said the CSU leader.

"It is important for us that nuclear power continues to be operated." A good solution is needed to get through the next winter well.

The traffic light hesitates and is at odds.

The Bavarian Prime Minister advocated continuing the operation of Isar 2 not only for the first quarter of next year, but at least until 2024.

This also means that you have to plan to get new fuel rods.

Against the background of the energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, there has been a debate for months as to whether the remaining German nuclear reactors should continue to operate - whether only for a short time or even for a few years.

There are still three active nuclear power plants in Germany.

According to current legislation, the operating license for Isar 2 would expire at the end of the year, as would that of the other two remaining reactors, Emsland in Lower Saxony and Neckarwestheim 2 in Baden-Württemberg.

Merz reported that they had "been in the core of the reactor" and looked at the technology.

He had come to the conclusion for himself and the parliamentary group that the continued operation of such a nuclear power plant was technically, personally and legally possible.

Now it has to be decided whether it is also politically possible.

"We don't want to go back to the old nuclear energy," said Merz.

But in the current difficult situation, one does not want to forgo any option that would guarantee the country's energy supply.

The CDU boss called for quick decisions.

The Union faction is ready to come to committee and plenary meetings in the Bundestag during the current parliamentary summer break.

"We still have three nuclear power plants on the grid," said Merz.

These are different, but fuel rods of the same type can be used in all "and can be obtained".

Now a political decision can be made to allow the continued operation of the nuclear power plants beyond the turn of the year.

Like Söder, Merz also said that this could also include the turn of the year 2023/2024.

"I call on the federal government to exhaust all possibilities for energy production."

Trittin calls the visit to Isar 2 “propaganda”

Former Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin (Greens) criticized the visit to Merz and Söder as a show event.

"There is propaganda being made, that has nothing to do with the matter," he told the editorial network Germany (RND).

"If the TÜV Süd should determine that Isar 2 is secured against the crash of Merz's small plane, then I would not contradict that," Trittin was quoted as saying.

“But that no longer applies to large commercial aircraft – as it does to all nuclear power plants.”

as/ulz/dpa