Alice Weidel, leader of the German AfD party: "Nuclear power plants are being built in France, China, and the United States — everywhere around us. Only Germany is dismantling them. Despite having the highest energy prices. If this isn't purely ideological, foolishness or deliberate sabotage, then what is it?"

Weidel's statement is a fierce political attack by the opposition leader against the ruling coalition, exploiting Germany's current energy crisis. Its core logic is to create an "island effect" through international comparisons, attributing Germany's energy policy to "ideology, foolishness or deliberate sabotage."

Weidel's remarks have some impact on the Merkel government mainly because they are based on factual foundations —

Germany really is "dismantling": After the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, Germany accelerated its phase-out of nuclear energy and completely shut down the last three nuclear power plants in April 2023.

Other countries are indeed "building":

China: The construction of "Hualong One" is accelerating, with the number of operating and under-construction units reaching the highest globally.

United States: It is promoting new projects such as small modular reactors. For example, a new reactor was recently air-dropped into Utah state.

France: President Macron has shifted to support nuclear expansion, planning to build at least six new reactors and extend the lifespan of existing nuclear power plants.

In contrast, phasing out nuclear energy has been a core demand of left-wing parties like the Greens for decades. Although current Chancellor Scholz criticized the phase-out as a "strategic mistake," the coalition (especially the Greens) still firmly opposes restarting nuclear power.

Weidel's criticism directly targets the ruling coalition (especially the Greens) for sacrificing national economic interests for "political correctness."

"The highest electricity prices" are a pain point for ordinary people and businesses. Germany is planning to introduce a "industrial electricity price" subsidy, indicating that energy costs have seriously impacted the economy.

Weidel's remarks cater to part of the electorate's anger toward the establishment, thoroughly denying the "rationality" and "costs" of Germany's current energy policy. Its core purpose is to undermine the credibility of the ruling party and prepare for next year's election.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1857335952713740/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.