Final Word from Thursday, December 21, 2023

Although German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of SPD is on the Left and Czech PM Petr Fiala of ODS is on the Right, it's sometimes hard to find much difference between their policies. This applies not only to such things as migration, support for Ukraine and the fight against extremists or populists, but also to the importance of social welfare and helping those hurt by high prices. Where they differ most is in the degree to which they speak publicly about the Energiewende and the impact of climate-change policies on industry and living standards. Scholz made it clear at SPD's recent party conference that there will be steelworks without coal and that the process will be costly but must be accelerated. Fiala's industry minister, Jozef Síkela, in essence announced the death of Liberty Ostrava steelworks yesterday, but he left it to its employees to understand the Christmas message that the situation might be difficult for them now but that something greater and greener will arise from the ashes. [ Czech Republic energy transformation Germany ]