German leaders avoid climate, energy in election TV debate

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Social Democratic challenger Martin Schulz failed to address climate and energy policies in Sunday’s TV debate ahead of the 24 September federal election. The debate focused mostly on questions related to refugee issues, foreign policy and some social security topics. On the diesel emission scandal, Merkel, whose conservative CDU has governed for the past four years in a grand coalition with Schulz’ SPD, said that while the industry was facing a transition, petrol and diesel cars would be needed for decades to come.

Find summaries of the debate in English on The Economist or Bloomberg.

Get background on the German election campaign and the energy and climate policy issues in the Clean Energy Wire dossier.