Brussels summit – tug-of-war over internal combustion engines: EU solution moving closer

The official part of the EU summit in Brussels contained as few surprises as new insights. Much more exciting and fruitful were the discussions in the background, namely the negotiations on the German blockade of the already decided end for internal combustion engines from 2035. The tug-of-war must, it is understood, be over soon.

The German Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) has sent a new solution to Brussels. “So nothing should stand in the way of the approval of newly registered vehicles with internal combustion engines that run exclusively on synthetic fuels, even after 2035,” says Wissing. France contradicts Austrian Chancellor Nehammer, who said Paris supported Berlin in the burning dispute. The French position is unchanged, it was said yesterday from the Élysée Palace.

“We have always said we are looking for a solution, but we will not shy away from the 2035 date,” said an Elysée official. At the EU summit, Nehammer reiterated his no to the end of new combustion cars from 2035. He will continue to campaign for the “green combustion engine with e-fuels”, he said. However, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, was confident that a solution to the dispute would be found soon. The project is an important pillar for achieving the EU’s climate goals. Therefore, the talks would be intensified.

Putin arrest warrant issued
The Hungarian government again caused a shake of the head: although Kremlin boss and warlord Vladimir Putin has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, he was able to travel to Hungary completely unhindered. Putin would not be arrested, Prime Minister Orbán’s chief of staff said. There is no legal basis in Hungary for the execution of the arrest warrant.