Germany and France settle dispute over nuclear energy

Despite different models - France is focusing on expanding nuclear energy, while Germany has shut down all nuclear power plants - the two countries no longer want to stand in each other's way when it comes to energy policy, but rather support each other.

In concrete terms, this means that Germany will no longer oppose the use of nuclear energy by France, for example at the level of European legislation. The French are not interested in financing nuclear facilities from EU funds, but in funding for research projects to develop new, smaller reactor types.

Merz and Macron announced new course during inaugural visit in May

Germany, for its part, is securing France's support for the development of hydrogen connections to south-western Europe and greater integration of the electricity grids between Germany and France. This was also laid down in the agreement in principle reached in Toulon in the south of France.

The German government had previously repeatedly disagreed on the equal treatment of low-emission energy sources and the classification of nuclear power as sustainable. Headwinds came from the SPD, which is now likely to support the agreement in principle reached with France. Merz and Macron had already announced the new joint course in energy policy during the Chancellor's inaugural visit to Paris at the beginning of May.