For what reason GermanyThe largest economy in the European Union, does it seek to become the largest “troublemaker” in the EU?

In an effort to protect its powerful automotive industry from the changes carried out through the planned final refusal of cars with internal combustion engines, Germany represents obstacles to the final approval of its legislation. European UnionThe purpose of which is to ban the sale of new cars that emit carbon dioxide since 2035.

This fact causes unrest in the EU, since the position of Germany can stand in the way in the Union’s efforts to become climate neutral by 2050. At the same time, however, another anxiety arises: can Germany’s tactics serve as a “bad example” for other European countries that may want to protect their own national interests?

The ban on internal combustion engines in the European Union until recently seemed “solved by the case”. As noted in his publication Politicoboth the European Parliament and the EU Member States. They agreed to ban the sale of new cars and trucks that emit carbon dioxide since 2035. Such a step, in fact, would make electric vehicles the norm in the countries of the Union. In the meantime, the EU ministers had to give final approval on Tuesday, the German side seems to have obstacles.

Cause; According to Politico, FDPOne of the three parties that make up the ruling coalition of Germany asks the European commission to include a “window” in the legislation, allowing the sale of cars with internal combustion engines if they use the so -called “electronic fuel” (e-fuels). These are synthetic fuels, climatically neutral, for the production of which, however, much more energy is required than necessary to charge an electric car.

“Soltz shouldn’t go down in history as the one who ‘killed’ the Green Deal”

Pascal Kanfin, French deputy of the European Parliament from the party Emmanuel Macron and the chairman of the Ecological Committee of the European Parliament, characteristically says that “this situation is unacceptable“.

“It is unacceptable for a country not to keep its word. Germany has approved the agreement,” notes Kanfin, calling him at the same time Olaf Soltz “do not go down in history as the leader who “killed” the Green Deal.

The SVDP, however, stubbornly refers to the need to “open” for new technologies. After a series of painful defeats in the regional elections last year, free democrats made this issue a political priority – both symbolically and in essence, since the German car industry is the main sector of employment.

Despite the fact that the President of the Commission Ursula von der Lyain met on Sunday with the German government to get a concession, Olaf Soltz made it clear on Monday that Berlin would not budge until the commission submitted an offer, which included the possibility of using electronic fuel in legislation.

The German chancellor emphasized that “

WITH Italy, Poland And Bulgaria

The Question of Credibility

Anton Hofreiter deputy from the Green notes that “it is always difficult to change his line shortly before the end of the process,” while he expresses alarming that “with this attitude of Germany risks his authority at the pan -European level, a fact that, as he emphasizes, “shouldn’t be, no matter what the question is.”

Тревогу подняли и в Брюсселе. The fear expressed by the European diplomat is significant about the risk that other countries, such as Poland, will accept similar approaches, which will be “attacks” to other European initiatives to change the climate.

Differences and ambivalence

And the Liberal Party may argue that he is fighting for protecting the interests of the automotive industry, but the industry itself seems ambiguously related to Berlin’s strategy.

Как характерно отмечает генеральный менеджер Ford в Европе Мартин Сандер, «сделка» по условиям соглашения создает неопределенность для потребителей, но и для самой отрасли, которая инвестирует в электромобили, аккумуляторы и инфраструктуру для зарядки транспортных средств. .

In the end, Ford took the obligation to switch to fully electric cars by 2026, and its competitor Volkswagen intends to reduce the production of cars with internal combustion engines in Europe by 2033.

Source: Politico