The German Federal Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, is concerned about the damage to Germany from a dispute with the EU Commission over the end to new cars with internal combustion engines. Habeck is a Green politician and is pushing for a quick agreement, stating that it is of the “highest level” that a conclusion is reached to avoid everything falling apart. He is referring to a large climate protection package from the EU.
Habeck believes that the perceived blocking attitude of the German government at EU level over the end of combustion engines from 2035 is damaging Germany. He stated that they are losing debates and not getting enough support for their projects. Furthermore, German politics and the representation of interests in Germany are being damaged, and it cannot continue for long.
Habeck acknowledged that the Free Democratic Party (FDP) has a point related to the failure of the EU Commission to keep a promise. The entire federal government takes the same position, and Habeck believes it is not that hard to redeem if they want to. Negotiators from the European Parliament and the EU states had already agreed in autumn that only emission-free new cars may be registered in the EU from 2035.
However, a confirmation by the EU states that was scheduled for last week was canceled due to additional demands from Germany. In particular, the FDP is urging that new cars with combustion engines that use artificial fuels produced with green electricity, so-called e-fuels, can still be registered after 2035. The EU Commission must fulfill a commitment to make a proposal.
In summary, Robert Habeck is calling for a quick agreement with the EU Commission to avoid any damages to Germany due to the dispute over the end to new cars with internal combustion engines. He believes that the German position on the end of combustion engines is perceived as a blockade at EU level, and it is essential to end it now. The FDP’s point about the failure of the EU Commission to keep a promise is acknowledged, and Habeck believes it is redeemable. However, negotiators must agree to the proposal to register only emission-free new cars in the EU from 2035.
