The Liberals are at odds with their coalition partners on various issues.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin The FDP is following up the dispute over the use of e-fuels: while the traffic light coalition is still arguing about whether combustion engines can still be approved after 2035, the liberals are now demanding more incentives for synthetic fuels from renewable energies (e-fuels).
“E-fuels are an opportunity for a climate-neutral transport sector,” says a draft of the FDP leadership for the main motion, which is to be decided at the party conference at the end of April. “Therefore, the framework conditions for a market ramp-up of e-fuels must be created.” The paper is available to the Handelsblatt. It will soon be submitted to the Federal Executive Board for approval.
Under pressure from the FDP in the traffic light coalition, Germany is blocking the end of combustion engines at EU level. “In this way we enable the further development of German engine technology and promote research and development for climate-neutral fuels,” says the draft of the lead proposal.
“The ramp-up of production and use must therefore be stimulated in the short term.” The legal regulations that currently prevent an expansion of use would have to be eliminated. The federal government should present a roadmap for this. The goal must be that by 2045 at the latest, only CO2-neutral fuels will be sold.
In the lead motion, the FDP leadership makes a number of suggestions as to how innovations and technologies should be promoted. After decades of growth, Germany as a business location is increasingly losing strength and attractiveness, the paper warns. “Germany must once again be the world market leader in innovations and technological progress.”
FDP politicians are calling for more research into nuclear fusion
In addition to e-fuels, the liberals also consider nuclear fusion and “next-generation nuclear energy” to be possible future technologies. “We want to promote research into nuclear fusion and create the legal framework for the further development of the technology,” the paper says. “The potential of new and safe nuclear fission technologies” should also be used.
>> Read here: The EU Commission and Germany are converging on e-fuels
The requirement to leave the three nuclear power plants in Germany connected to the grid beyond April is not included in the paper. Leading FDP politicians have repeatedly warned of this in recent months, angering the Green coalition partner. But even without the call for longer nuclear lifetimes, many points in the paper harbor potential for conflict.
The lead motion makes it clear that the liberals want to focus primarily on new technologies in the fight against climate change. The use of hydrogen also plays a role. It is also said that the state should “no longer slow down genetic engineering”.
The liberals also want to improve the conditions for the further development and use of artificial intelligence (AI). Germany must not “let itself be left behind by other countries,” the paper says. At EU level, they are committed to an innovation-friendly regulation. “AI regulation must not have a prohibitive effect, but must be designed in such a way that the market for AI solutions develops on the basis of our values.”
>> Read here: That’s what the e-fuel dispute is about – the most important questions and answers
In terms of financial policy, the liberals are underpinning their positions, which they have been able to defend against the SPD and Greens in the traffic light coalition: “no tax increases” and “compliance with the debt brake”. Rather, the FDP is once again campaigning for “the reduction of corporate taxes to an internationally competitive level and the complete abolition of the solidarity surcharge”. However, the SPD and the Greens reject such tax cuts.
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