The nuclear energy of tomorrow cannot be compared to that of today. Answering questions raised by both the opposition and the majority, Prime Minister Luc Frieden clarified on Wednesday in the parliamentary committee that Luxembourg would not exactly deviate from its anti-nuclear stance under this government.
Frieden, together with Environment Minister Serge Wilmes and Energy Minister Lex Delles, emphasised that Luxembourg’s stance on nuclear power would remain consistent with that of the previous government. He stated: “The government has a clear opinion, which is that it is in favor of renewable energy and that it believes the current nuclear reactors raise a lot of safety issues. This is our opinion which was the same for previous governments. This has not changed. However, this does not mean that we will tell others how to think and act.”
Delles confirmed that “the country wants to focus on renewable energy. We want to invest in renewable energies, including research and infrastructure in Luxembourg. The coalition agreement is very clear on this matter, and there is unity within the government to maintain that stance. We do not see nuclear energy as renewable energy.”
His party’s stance is very clear on the matter: “The DP’s [Democratic Party] position is very clear; we are against nuclear energy.” The Democratic and Liberal Youth (JDL), which welcomed Frieden’s perceived openness to nuclear energy, does not align with the DP on this issue.
The opposition welcomed Frieden’s statement on Wednesday: “I want to say that, everything that was said this morning [Wednesday], was quite different from what Frieden said in the press a few days ago,” stated François Bausch of the Green Party. Bausch continued by noting that the Prime Minister had agreed to an interview alongside former Environment Minister Joëlle Welfring to discuss the topic. Georges Engel of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP) added: “In Brussels, that was the old Luc speaking. In the parliamentary committee, that was the new Luc. And that’s maybe not always the same person. In any case, today the government has committed to continue investing in renewable energies. That’s very good.”
For David Wagner of The Left (déi Lenk), it is still unclear where the Prime Minister stands: “There’s two sides fighting against each other. But I feel like the pro-nuclear side is a bit stronger. And now the Prime Minister has tried to backtrack a bit because in Luxembourg there is a consensus against nuclear energy.”
Ben Polidori of the Pirate Party expressed alarm over the Prime Minister’s statements made last week: “What was explained to us today in the committee, and the way Mr. Frieden expressed himself, however, show to me that he clearly backtracked from his earlier statements. It’s not what was understood last week. Now, it’s heading towards renewable energies. And they’re not investing in nuclear energy, something which we would strongly recommend.”
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