Overview

• Several CDU/CSU leaders, including Michael Kretschmer, Markus Söder, Boris Rhein and Manuel Hagel, advocate loosening climate rules, reconsidering the 2045 neutrality target and overturning the EU combustion‑engine ban.
• Schleswig‑Holstein’s Daniel Günther rejects watering down the 2045 objective, calling for faster grid buildout rather than curbing renewable deployment.
• Günther opposes Economy Minister Katherina Reiche’s proposal to tie renewable rollout to grid capacity, arguing lower costs will come from continued investment in wind and solar.
• Vattenfall Germany chief Robert Zurawski says the transition is not reversible and urges prioritizing grid connections, accelerating north‑south transmission lines and adding storage while revising first‑come connection rules.
• Renewables supply about 57% of Germany’s electricity as coal plants still operate, and Günther faults carmakers for lagging on EVs and batteries, citing Northvolt’s insolvency and Lyten’s planned battery factory in Heide.