Most Germans say climate policy could be decisive issue in 2021 elections – survey

Climate policy could be a decisive issue for the vast majority of voters in Germany's parliamentary elections in 2021, a representative survey conducted by pollster YouGov for solar power industry lobby group BSW Solar has shown. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said climate policy could be important (32%) or very important (41%) when deciding who to vote for. The most important climate action measure respondents cited was expanding renewable energy production, BSW Solar said. The imminent decision on a reform of Germany's Renewable Energy Act (EEG) would therefore be a "litmus test for climate policy credibility," BSW Solar head Carsten Körnig said. He argued Germany finally has to launch a "solar boost" to keep voters confident and stay on track towards reaching its climate targets.

The 2021 parliamentary elections will be held on 26 September and Germany also has six state elections scheduled for next year. Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will not run for another term after 16 years at the helm, meaning that the country will get a new head of government regardless of how the election turns out. Climate has been widely expected to feature high on the agenda of most voters, as civil society protests for more ambitious climate action led by the Fridays for Future movement had a strong impact on policymakers in the past years. However, the continuing economic challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic could still have an effect on voter preferences throughout the election year.