German government collapses amid row over Net Zero targets

German coalition [credit: cer.org.uk]

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Net Zero climate dogmatism can seriously damage your country’s governance. German elections are expected as soon as March, six months ahead of schedule as the ‘traffic light coalition’ crumbles. Relentless pursuit of the so-called ‘energy transition’ hasn’t helped the economy, amid ever-rising energy costs.
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Germany’s fragile government has collapsed after Olaf Scholz fired his finance minister on Wednesday evening, reports The Telegraph.

The Chancellor sacked Christian Lindner after days of crisis talks and amid a deluge of rumours that his turbulent coalition was about to come to an end.
. . .
Mr Lindner, head of the pro-business Free Democrats, had been pushing for corporate tax relief and a delay to net zero targets as part of a comprehensive package to get the economy moving after years of stagnation.
. . .
Mr Scholz formed Germany’s first ever three-party coalition in 2021 on the promise to “dare more progress”.

However, plans to focus on investing in the green transition and modernise Germany’s outdated infrastructure were thrown into chaos two months later by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Scholz and his ministers then had to switch into crisis mode as they sought new energy suppliers after previous governments had almost exclusively bought natural gas from the Kremlin.

Ideological struggles, particularly between the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats quickly emerged over issues including fuel subsidies and the planned shutdown of the country’s remaining nuclear power plants.

An attempt by the Greens to ban all new gas heating installations in private homes led to the government’s popularity plummeting, while Mr Scholz was often criticised for an inability to communicate properly with the public.

Polling has shown the coalition, often referred to as the traffic light coalition due to the colours of the three parties involved, as the least popular of any since polling began.

Mr Scholz points to the fact that the energy crisis has been stabilised as proof that his government has made progress despite the negative press.

Full report here.
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Image: German coalition [credit: cer.org.uk]