EDITORIAL

Germany to abandon nukes

Anti-nukes campaigners in Germany have won a major battle as the country announced it will close all reactors by 2020.

Following the disaster at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant in March, countries across Europe witnessed massive protests against the use of nuclear energy, which is not only dangerous at every stage of production but is not a clean alternative.

Unfortunately, a victory on one front can lead to a setback on another. The German government will replace nuclear power by burning more coal, instead of investing in renewable energy sources. This is an example of how mass movements can build the necessary momentum and strength to force a government to change its policy. However, it also shows the limits of such change under capitalism.