"Disturbing" - Scholz counters criticism in the combustion dispute

At the EU summit in Brussels, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was heavily criticized in the dispute over the future of cars with combustion engines. "It is disturbing when a government suddenly goes into reverse after initial approval," said Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins on Thursday. "It's a very difficult sign for the future," he added. Scholz, on the other hand, was convinced that an agreement was within reach.

The issue was not officially on the summit's agenda, but was raised by several heads of state and government upon their arrival. The EU Parliament and the member states agreed in October that cars with combustion engines should no longer be sold from 2035 onwards. However, Germany stalled the decision at the last minute to negotiate an exemption for synthetic fuels; these are considered expensive and inefficient.

Karins warned of damage to the complicated architecture of decision-making in the EU if the German example catches on. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced that he wanted to put pressure on Scholz on this issue: "Most countries say that we have cleared this hurdle and cannot simply change course," he emphasized, referring to the combustion engine exit that had already been agreed .

The Luxembourg head of government, Xavier Bettel, warned against giving German demands too much space at the summit: "We have an agenda, and it's not a request concert when we come to Brussels," said Bettel.

For his part, Scholz saw the talks between the Federal Government and the EU Commission as “on the right track”. He referred to the Commission's commitment to examine a solution for synthetic fuels, so-called e-fuels. "Now it's really just a matter of finding the right way to implement this commitment, which the Commission has long since given, in a very pragmatic way," added Scholz.

"It is always right to keep your own promises," he emphasized, referring to the EU Commission. In fact, the audit mandate is already included in the law. However, he does not provide a period within which the EU Commission should comment.

EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola also got involved in the dispute and called for the rule to be adopted “without further delay” as decided. "The decision to delay the legislative process on the agreed text undermines the credibility of the entire legislative process at EU level," Metsola warned in the letter, excerpts of which were published by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" on Thursday.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres was invited as a special guest at the EU summit and called for a more determined fight against climate change at the beginning of the meeting. "The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows how dramatic the situation is," Guterres said. "We are close to the point where the 1.5 degree target is no longer achievable," Guterres said. "We have to act very decisively (...) and in doing so we are counting on the leading role of the EU."

A video call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was planned for the afternoon. At the summit, the EU leaders want to approve supplies of ammunition worth billions to Ukraine, and a million rounds of artillery ammunition are to be delivered to Kiev within a year.

French President Emmanuel Macron only wanted to come to the summit in the afternoon. Macron was expected to push for a "strategic discussion" on the role of nuclear power in decarbonising the economy - another issue on which France and Germany disagree.

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