NRW鈥檚 state premier to represent CDU on climate & energy in coalition talks
The Prime Minister of Germany鈥檚 most populous federal state North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Armin Laschet, will represent Chancellor Angela Merkel鈥檚 conservative CDU party in the areas of climate, energy, and transport in the 鈥楯amaica coalition鈥� talks, the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) reports. In the talks with the pro-business FDP, the environmentalist Green Party, and the CDU鈥檚 Bavarian sister party CSU, Laschet is expected to particularly advocate for NRW鈥檚 interests. The economy of his state is greatly dependent on heavy, energy intensive industries, and on coal-fired power production. According to the article, in the past Laschet has repeatedly lashed out against a 鈥渂anning mentality鈥� with regard to coal and combustion engines - policies that the Green Party adamantly pursues.
Laschet鈥檚 government in NRW has recently caused a stir among renewable energy proponents by passing legislation that makes wind power expansion in the federal state much more difficult.
Find the article in German .
See the 麻豆无码版 factsheet The long road to a new government coalition in Germany for background.