The premier of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, is calling for fundamental adjustments to current climate policies amid challenging conditions for industry and the recent withdrawal of US-based Dow Chemical from eastern Germany.
In remarks to the “Handelsblatt”, Haseloff argued that strategically vital production sectors, such as basic chemicals and steel, should be exempt from stringent climate regulations. He proposed integrating a “resilience factor” into climate goals, questioning the logic of relying on imports from countries with potentially less rigorous environmental standards. “Do we want to source steel from Russia to build tanks and chemicals from China, which are essential for many products, including wind turbines?” he asked. “I strongly advise against that.
Haseloff also urged the European Commission to reconsider its plan to phase out internal combustion engine vehicles by 2035. He warned of a potential deindustrialization process, predicting that such a development could be exploited by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. “If we don’t pay attention, flourishing regions will wither again within a single generation” he stated, referring specifically to the chemical triangle region and the automotive supply chain.
The decision by Dow Chemical to close sites, according to Haseloff, is a direct consequence of “long-standing misdirected European climate policy”. He asserts that the current EU sustainability strategy effectively eliminates certain types of production. “This needs to stop. We are not obligated to commit suicide” he concluded.
