Overview

• Merz said he does not want Germany to back what he called a bad prohibition and urged Brussels to end the planned cutoff for new combustion-engine cars.
• The Commission has stated it will reassess the 2035 measure as soon as possible, whereas the legal texts had scheduled a review in 2026.
• Germany’s coalition remains divided, with Environment Minister Carsten Schneider described as not yet convinced about abandoning the target.
• The chancellor is set to meet industry representatives on Thursday, saying the issue is under discussion with his Social Democratic partners.
• Automakers facing weak electric-vehicle demand and strong Chinese competition have voiced doubts about the 2035 goal, and Porsche has delayed EV rollouts; Merz also cited ongoing needs for diesel trucks and the potential of synthetic fuels.