Two thirds in eastern German state of Saxony call for cross-party plan to scale renewables – survey

Most residents of the eastern German state of Saxony are in favour of the switch to renewables, but many are still concerned about new wind turbines being built near their home, shows a survey by climate interest group Initiative Klimaneutrales Deutschland. Sixty-nine percent of respondents agreed with the statement that the state needs a cross-party consensus on how to successfully make the switch from fossil to renewable energies. Only 18 percent did not agree.

Despite the support for the energy transition (Energiewende), 44 percent admitted they had big concerns about new wind power projects in their neighbourhood, while 31 percent have "rather minor concerns", and 19 percent have only very minor or no concerns. Pollster INSA Consulere conducted telephone and online surveys with 1,000 people aged 18 and over from Saxony in early July 2024.

Saxony is one of three eastern German states to elect a new government in September 2024, marking a potentially pivotal moment in the post-reunification history of the country and for the future of its climate and energy transition policies. The elections are highlighting political differences along the former political divide separating the communist and the capitalist German states, as polls predict that populist forces from left and right will take chunks of support from the centrist parties dominant in the West.

While most people in the East also support climate action and the expansion of renewables, electoral success by the far-right AfD and the nationalist-left BSW could hurt progress in a region that stands to benefit disproportionately from the shift towards clean energy.