Politician from the Green party alleges that Söder has been fabricating claims about nuclear energy during his election campaign - Politician from the Green party alleges Söder of disseminating falsehoods about nuclear energy in his electoral campaign
In the heart of the German federal election campaign, a debate has erupted over the potential reactivation of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant. Green state parliamentarian Martin Stümpfig has accused Bavarian Premier Markus Söder of misleading the public on this matter.
Söder, in his statements, referred to unnamed "technical experts" regarding the Isar 2 nuclear power plant. These experts, as is common in discussions about nuclear energy, are believed to be specialists such as nuclear engineers, energy scientists, and officials from relevant technical institutions or regulatory bodies. Their role is to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and regulatory aspects of operating nuclear plants like Isar 2.
However, despite extensive research and inquiries, no specific names or affiliations of these experts have been made public in relation to Söder's statements about the Isar 2 nuclear power plant. If one seeks the exact names or affiliations of these experts, it would be necessary to consult direct statements, press releases, or interviews given by Söder or his office during the campaign.
Stümpfig has accused Söder of lying about the reactivation of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant and has called for a return to fact-based politics. He believes that Söder's experts on the Isar 2 nuclear power plant "simply did not exist and do not exist."
The Environment Ministry, responsible for nuclear power plants, states that no further documents on this topic are available. The ministry also points to a study by TÜV Süd, completed in April 2022, which does not contain any statements about the reactivation of a shut-down and partially dismantled reactor. The reactor in question was still in operation at the time the study was completed.
The study by TÜV Süd, almost three years old in February 2025, does not provide any recent insights into the technical condition of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant or the possibility of safely extending or reactivating its operation.
Meanwhile, the CSU, led by Markus Söder, made the reactivation of nuclear power plants a main topic in the election campaign but could not enforce this point in the coalition negotiations.
Stümpfig has called for a clarification of the facts regarding Söder's statements about the Isar 2 nuclear power plant, believing that Söder's credibility has been severely damaged. The State Chancellery has not responded to a direct inquiry regarding Söder's statements about the Isar 2 nuclear power plant.
The Bavarian state government, however, has its own expertise with corresponding specialists in the Bavarian authorities and ministries. Markus Söder claimed that the reactivation of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant is possible at any time this and next year, but the answers given by the state government do not provide real insights into the matter.
As the federal election campaign continues, the controversy surrounding Söder's statements about the Isar 2 nuclear power plant remains unresolved, with Stümpfig and others pressing for greater transparency and factual accuracy.
- The debate over the potential reactivation of the Isar 2 nuclear power plant in Germany has highlighting the importance of expert opinion in energy policy discourse, as Markus Söder, Bavarian Premier, has relied on unnamed "technical experts" to support his stance.
- Financiers and investors in the energy industry are closely following the unfolding politics surrounding the Isar 2 nuclear power plant, as factual inaccuracies and questionable expert testimonies could have significant implications for future energy policy and regulation in EC countries.
- Amidst the controversy, the general news media has emphasized the need for fact-based policies and legislation, as the credibility of key political figures, such as Markus Söder, hinges on the authenticity of their information sources, particularly in regards to energy policy matters like the Isar 2 nuclear power plant.
