Controversy arose around the title due to reports in the German magazine “Cicero”. In March 2022, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Ministry of Economy and Environment ignored the opinions of experts, which indicated that it was reasonable to temporarily extend the operation of the last operating nuclear power plants in the country – journalists of the magazine say, citing inside information. Received through documents from two ministries.
According to “Cicero”, Habek's position contradicted the opinions of experts, who said that nuclear power would help reduce gas consumption and avoid an energy crisis.
Both ministries deny the newspaper reports.
On Friday, during special meetings of the Bundestag's environment and economy committee, Haebeck and Lemke supported the decision to phase Germany out of nuclear power according to the timetable set before the Russian invasion.
Habeck stressed that his ministry had studied the possibility of extending the operation of nuclear power plants at a very early stage. He argued that dialogue with nuclear power plant operators was crucial to the decision-making process. The economy ministry also noted that “extremely high costs and safety risks” weighed against extending the plant's operational life.
The Environment Minister also spoke in a similar tone. Lemke noted that his ministry presented all events in a “transparent and comprehensible” way. According to him, the opinions of experts “at all times focus on the nuclear security of our country.”
Politicians from the opposition Christian Democratic Party (CDU/CSU) announced that they wanted to continue the debate and clarify the matter. — There is still a reasonable doubt that Habeck's ministry did something contrary to what the minister publicly declared. Distorting the facts instead of open analysis, said Andreas Jung, the Christian Democratic Party representative for energy and climate protection.
– There is growing suspicion that the decision to withdraw from nuclear (country) was not made openly (based on a transparent decision-making process – PAP), but pre-determined. CSU MP Andreas Lenz said the people were deceived.
The last three German nuclear power plants – Isar 2 (in Bavaria), Emsland (in Lower Saxony) and Neckerwestheim 2 (in Baden-Württemberg) – are scheduled to be decommissioned in early 2022-2023; It finally happened on April 15, 2023.
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