• The recent German election, which saw Friedrich Merz’s center-right party win, could help ease Germany’s longstanding opposition to nuclear energy, potentially shifting EU policy on the matter.

• Pro-nuclear EU countries, especially France, hope that a more moderate German stance will break the political gridlock and secure a larger role for nuclear power in upcoming energy and economic legislation.

• Despite growing support for nuclear energy, the sector remains in a precarious position, with key EU initiatives, such as the Clean Industrial Deal, still excluding nuclear from critical policy changes.

This past weekend, Germans may have unknowingly contributed to resolving one of the European Union’s oldest and most contentious debates. The hope among pro-nuclear EU nations is that the recent election results, which saw the center-right leader Friedrich Merz secure a victory for his party, will help shift the nuclear discourse. Merz, who is set to become chancellor, has long advocated for easing Germany’s historically firm stance against nuclear power, which could help break a long-standing Brussels stalemate and push pro-nuclear policies forward.

Nuclear power, though a low-carbon energy source, has never enjoyed the same favorable treatment from the EU as other renewable options like wind and solar. For years, Germany has been at the forefront of opposing the inclusion of nuclear energy in EU policy, citing concerns over safety, fuel disposal, delays, and cost overruns. As a result, nuclear energy has faced significant hurdles in gaining recognition within the bloc, even though it has the potential to provide cheap, low-emission electricity. In fact, nuclear proponents argue that the EU’s resistance to nuclear energy is shortsighted, especially in light of the economic and energy crises that have exacerbated high energy prices and strained industries across Europe.

The recent election results have brought fresh hope to the pro-nuclear camp, led by countries such as France, which has consistently fought for the broader acceptance of nuclear energy. These nations argue that nuclear power should be more widely recognized for its ability to generate cheap, low-emission electricity. With the European Commission preparing to unveil a plan to support struggling industries—the Clean Industrial Deal—nuclear advocates are eager to ensure that atomic energy is included in any related efforts to cut energy prices.

Despite gaining political momentum since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the nuclear industry in Europe is still navigating uncertain terrain. The challenges faced by EDF, France’s state-owned energy giant, highlight the precarious state of the sector. EDF has been saddled with debt and has seen several of its bids for new nuclear projects fall through, further complicating efforts to revitalize the industry.

In this climate, the results of the recent German election are being watched closely by pro-nuclear advocates across Europe. Merz’s approach differs significantly from that of his predecessor, Angela Merkel, who decided to shut down Germany’s reactors in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster. Merkel’s phaseout plan was finalized during the height of the EU’s 2022 energy crisis, a decision Merz has called a “grave strategic mistake.” While Merz has since tempered his earlier proposals to restart those reactors, he has expressed support for collaboration with France on the development of advanced small modular reactors (SMRs). His party’s manifesto also includes a commitment to funding research into this emerging technology.

A more moderate stance from Germany could have a significant impact in Brussels, where debates over nuclear energy have often been stymied by political gridlock. The shift in Germany’s position would signal to other EU members that nuclear energy should be considered more seriously within upcoming legislation and energy strategies. This would make it easier for pro-nuclear countries to challenge the opposition from smaller, less influential nuclear-skeptic nations such as Austria and Luxembourg, who have traditionally been opposed to nuclear energy.

In practical terms, this shift in Germany’s position would give pro-nuclear countries greater leverage in shaping the EU’s climate targets for 2040, the definition of “low-carbon” hydrogen, and funding programs aimed at boosting EU competitiveness. For the nuclear industry, the ultimate goal is to see a 50% increase in installed nuclear capacity by 2050—though experts caution that this target may be overly ambitious. Despite the growing political momentum, drafts of key EU texts related to the Clean Industrial Deal have excluded nuclear energy from critical policy changes, such as the relaxation of state aid rules or the creation of EU-backed industrial power contracts. This omission has sparked significant frustration among nuclear advocates, including Yves Desbazeille, director general of the Nucleareurope lobbying group, who emphasized the need for improvements in the EU’s approach to nuclear energy.

Ultimately, the future of nuclear power in the EU may hinge on the unfolding political dynamics in Germany, with the potential to reshape the energy landscape in Europe for years to come. If Germany adopts a more cooperative stance on nuclear energy, it could pave the way for greater recognition of nuclear power in the EU’s economic and energy strategies, helping to secure its place in the continent’s low-carbon future.