EU Leaders’ Summit Marred by Tensions Between France and Germany

France and Germany are embroiled in a dispute over nuclear energy and combustion engines that could affect the European Union’s climate goals. The tensions between the two biggest players in the EU were further exacerbated after Germany blocked a landmark deal to prohibit new sales of fossil fuel cars from 2035. The ban is crucial to the EU’s plan to become a “climate-neutral” economy by 2050, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. Germany intervened at the last minute, demanding assurances that the law would allow sales of new cars with combustion engines that run on synthetic fuels. France, in turn, has irritated Berlin by insisting on giving nuclear energy a starring role in European plans to produce more green technology. These issues will be discussed at the EU summit, where leaders will also talk about economic competitiveness and support for Ukraine. There is hope that the dispute over cars will be resolved soon, but nuclear power remains a divisive issue within the EU.