Merkel鈥檚 coal exit
Chancellor Angel Merkel appears to have signalled the end of brown coal in Germany, Michael Bauchm眉ller writes in S眉ddeutsche Zeitung. In her traditional summer interview with broadcaster ARD, Merkel stated that working with affected regions to develop alternatives for coal mining employees as the first move is part of her CDU party鈥榮 platform and that 鈥渢hen the exit can be contemplated鈥�. The move would not only win the support of the Greens but also trump the left-of-centre SPD, which still supports brown coal mining in some areas, writes Bauchm眉ller. For Merkel, the decision addresses a failure during her three terms in office to adequately deal with coal. In 2005, Germany produced 990 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. Today, the country still produces 900 million tonnes. Without a concrete plan, she is in danger of missing her own 2020 climate protection target by more than 150 million tonnes, writes Bauchm眉ller.
Read the article in German .
Watch the ARD interview with Chancellor Angela Merkel .