“In the club of nuclear pals”

Germany’s membership in the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) is a paradox since the country’s decision to phase out nuclear power in 2000, writes Joachim Wille in Frankfurter Rundschau. Provisions of the membership contract still called on member states to facilitate investments in the development of nuclear energy, while Germany decided to shut down its last nuclear power plant by 2022. Hans-Josef Fell, member of the Green Party and one of the ‘fathers’ of the Renewable Energy Act, calls for the necessary functions of Euratom, such as security regulations, nuclear waste disposal and protection of the population from radioactivity, to be transferred to EU directives.

For an extensive background, read the CLEW dossier on The challenges of Germany’s nuclear phase-out.