A recent poll conducted by Innofact in March 2025 has revealed a significant shift in German public opinion, with 55% of respondents supporting a return to nuclear power. This marks a notable turn in the political landscape of Germany, where nuclear energy has been a contentious issue, particularly during the ongoing negotiations between Friedrich Merz’s conservative CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats (SPD).

The poll also found that 36% of Germans are opposite the idea of revisiting nuclear power, while 9% remain undecided. The issue, however, seems to divide along gender and geographical lines, with more men supporting the idea compared to women, and the notion receiving more favor in southern and eastern Germany than in the north and west. The poll also revealed a preference for both reopening the most recently closed reactors and building new ones, alongside a strong interest in investment in renewable energy sources, with 57% in support.

The survey’s findings could influence the policy direction of the next German government. While the CDU/CSU is exploring the technical and financial feasibility of reopening decommissioned nuclear reactors, the SPD and the Greens have expressed opposition to such a move. The debate highlights the historical volatility of Germany’s nuclear policy, from Gerhard Schröder’s decision to phase out nuclear energy in 1998 to Angela Merkel’s surprising shift following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, leading to an accelerated phase-out. The last three nuclear power plants in Germany were shut down in early 2023 after a temporary extension by Olaf Scholz’s coalition government.

The poll results are likely to be a central topic in future political discussions, with potential implications for energy policy, economic strategy, and environmental goals in Germany.

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/german-poll-majority-for-return-to-nuclear-energy/a-72139350?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf