Germany has dropped its long-standing opposition to nuclear energy being treated as green power under EU climate rules — a shift that could unblock major energy legislation across the bloc.

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Under new chancellor Friedrich Merz, Berlin has softened its stance, no longer opposing European plans to treat nuclear power on par with renewables like wind and solar, according to officials cited by the Financial Times. The reversal marks a dramatic departure from the position held by former chancellor Olaf Scholz and is expected to ease Franco-German tensions that have paralysed energy negotiations in recent years.

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“This will be a sea-change policy shift,” a German official told the FT.

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Germany was a leading voice in the anti-nuclear camp in Brussels, teaming up with Austria to argue that atomic energy should not be included in the EU’s green taxonomy or long-term climate strategy. That position was rooted in the country’s own phase-out plans — Germany took its last nuclear plants offline in April 2023, following a pledge made by Angela Merkel after the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

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But the energy crisis triggered by Russia’s war on Ukraine — and Europe’s scramble to replace gas imports — exposed the vulnerabilities of Germany’s post-nuclear path. While Scholz’s government held the line in 2023, Merz appears to be shifting towards a more pragmatic, security-driven approach.

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The change could be decisive. France, which generates over 70% of its electricity from nuclear, has long pushed for EU-level recognition of the technology’s low-carbon credentials. With Germany no longer standing in the way, Brussels could now include nuclear in key funding frameworks and climate goals, giving new momentum to emerging technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs).

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Austria remains opposed, but a united front between Europe’s two largest economies may tip the balance.

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Several other countries — including Italy and Denmark — are exploring nuclear revival strategies after decades of hesitation. For policymakers in Brussels, Berlin’s rethink offers a chance to finally move beyond entrenched battles and focus on accelerating decarbonisation with every available tool.

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With the next EU five-year climate roadmap due in 2026 and COP30 approaching, Germany’s U-turn could not be more timely.

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