Double standard in the energy transition

Question for written answer E-003517/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Claudiu-Richard Târziu (ECR)

Germany has passed a law setting itself a deadline of 2038 for the phasing-out of coal-fired power plants, with the possibility that this could even be extended to 2040, while at the same time receiving tens of billions of euros to compensate its mining regions.

By contrast, poorer eastern countries, such as Romania, are obliged under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to close down coal mines by 2025 and achieve a total phase-out by 2032, without having comparable internal financial resources.

Why is the Commission tolerating this double standard, whereby rich countries set themselves generous time limits and have massive funds while more vulnerable countries are being pushed towards an accelerated transition with far higher social and economic costs?

Submitted: 11.9.2025