Four ministries will jointly work in coal commission

Four German ministers will “jointly work” in the country’s “coal commission” – tasked with finding a phase-out compromise – said chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) at a press conference after a two-day cabinet retreat in Meseberg near Berlin. Economy minister Peter Altmaier (CDU), environment minister Svenja Schulze (SPD), labour minister Hubertus Heil (SPD), and interior minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) will steer the work of the so-called “special commission on growth, structural economic change and employment”. The commission’s office will be in the economy ministry, said Merkel. Finance minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) said that the key topic will be finding a long-term perspective for current workers and companies. “Then it will be better possible to create the conditions for the necessary decisions, which are important for the climate and this part of our environment’s development,” said Scholz.

For background, read the factsheet When will Germany finally ditch coal? and the portraits Merkel puts long-time confidant in charge of energy transition and New German environment minister faces steep uphill battle on climate.