German energy storage association joins calls to avoid policy deadlock after governing coalition’s collapse

German energy storage trade body the BVES has echoed calls to prevent the collapse of Germany’s governing coalition, on Nov. 6, 2024, from resulting in a political deadlock that will delay or derail climate-related policy.

The desertion of liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) members from cabinet posts in the “traffic light” coalition government – prompted by the sacking of Finance Minister Christian Lindner by socialist Chancellor Olaf Scholz – has left the remaining Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD) and Green party members of government with just 324 seats in the 733-strong Bundestag.

That has prompted fears of a policy deadlock which could thwart a government promise to introduce a “growth initiative” which includes measures to help drive energy storage and solar deployment, during 2024.

In a statement released to pv magazine Deutschland, the BVES said, “The looming end of the ‘traffic light’ coalition has already stalled the necessary industrial transformation for some time. However, this current break must not lead to a standstill or even a setback in the transformation of our energy system. In matters of the energy transition, no compromises or postponements should be used as means of political bargaining. Instead, we should view this turning point as an opportunity – for more pragmatism and greater freedom for companies that are committed to actively advancing their transformation.”