Union and SPD divided over return to nuclear power - Germany's nuclear power deadlock deepens as coalition talks falter over SMRs
Germany's political divide over nuclear power has widened as coalition talks between the centre-right and Social Democrats stall. The issue remains deeply contentious, with no agreement in sight on reviving nuclear energy. Disputes now centre on small modular reactors (SMRs), a technology some see as vital for energy security but others reject outright.
Germany shut down its last nuclear plants in 2023, following a 2011 Bundestag decision to phase out atomic energy. Since then, the debate has never quietened. The centre-right CSU, led by Markus Söder, is pushing for new nuclear construction, including SMRs. Party secretary-general Martin Huber argues that embracing advanced reactors could boost the economy and secure long-term energy supplies.
The Social Democrats (SPD) remain firmly opposed. Carsten Schneider, a senior SPD figure, has dismissed SMRs as unviable. His party's resistance aligns with the Greens, who warn that investing in nuclear would undermine Germany's renewable energy transition. Supporters of SMRs face steep hurdles. Costs for new projects have more than doubled due to construction delays and technical setbacks. The industry also lacks standardised licensing rules, slowing progress. Even international efforts struggle—Canada, often cited by the CSU as a model, has yet to bring a single SMR online. In September 2025, the European Industrial Alliance for SMRs admitted the sector must focus on fewer reactor designs to cut costs and attract private funding. EU regulations, like the Net-Zero Industry Act, could speed up approvals, but political opposition in Germany remains a major barrier.
The deadlock leaves Germany's energy policy in limbo. Without consensus, nuclear power—whether through large plants or SMRs—stays off the table for now. The dispute also risks complicating any future coalition between the centre-right and Social Democrats.
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