The conservative candidate for chancellor finds himself in the center of his first major controversy during the campaign. Friedrich Merz sparked backlash with his skeptical remark about the pace and feasibility of transitioning Germany’s steel industry to green hydrogen-based production. His statement drew criticism not only from SPD, the Greens, and the IG Metall union but also caused dismay within the steel sector itself—a critical industry with 90,000 jobs and an annual revenue exceeding €55 billion. POLITICO’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief Gordon Repinski and Chief Correspondent Rasmus Buchsteiner delve into why Merz’s concerns are not entirely unfounded, how he fumbled the delivery of an important topic, and why failing to provide accompanying solutions was a strategic misstep.
In the spotlight: Dennis Radtke, the National Chairman of the Christian Democratic Workers’ Association (CDA), discusses the hopes and doubts within the conservative CDU/CSU alliance regarding the future of Germany’s domestic steel production in a concise 200-second interview.
Meanwhile, POLITICO reporter Rixa Fürsen provides updates from the German Bundestag’s investigative committee on the controversial closure of the country’s last nuclear power plants. Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Chancellery Minister Wolfgang Schmidt are scheduled to testify today, followed by appearances from Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Economics Minister Robert Habeck tomorrow.
Also happening:
The prestigious KaDeWe department store played host last night to a New Year’s reception by the medical community. POLITICO’s Jürgen Klöckner was on-site, covering the event, including a notable appearance by SPD Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
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