Protests across Germany over controversial energy policy
Thousands of people took to the streets across Germany on Saturday, protesting the government’s energy policy and demanding faster expansion of renewable energy sources.
Demonstrations were held in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Cologne under the slogan “defend renewable energy!” Environmental organizations leading the protests warned that rising energy prices, global conflicts, and reliance on fossil fuels pose serious risks to stability and security.
Protest organizers highlighted the growing urgency of shifting toward clean energy, especially amid increasing energy costs linked to the war in Iran and worsening climate conditions. They called for accelerated development of solar and wind power as a long-term solution to both economic and environmental challenges.
Environmental groups strongly criticized Katherina Reiche, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, along with members of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), accusing them of slowing down the transition to renewable energy and favoring fossil fuels.
In Munich, protesters expressed concern that current policies could undermine progress on the energy transition. Martin Geilhufe, head of the Nature Conservation Union at the state level, described the government’s proposed grid measures as a coordinated attack on environmental protection and climate goals, warning against limiting the growth of wind and solar energy.
According to organizers, around 24,000 people joined the protest in Berlin and 12,000 in Munich, with a total of approximately 80,000 participants across all four cities, signaling widespread public concern over the country’s energy direction.