Greens forced to park their autobahn speed limit

PLANS to impose a speed limit on German motorways appear to have been defeated for now, after the first details emerged from talks to form a new coalition government yesterday.

The German Greens were able to claim significant victories including a commitment to phase out coal power ahead of schedule and ambitious plans to expand wind power.

But there were also big wins for the centre-right Free Democrats (FDP), who blocked any tax increases, including controversial proposals for a wealth tax, as well as a speed limit.

Olaf Scholz moved closer to succeeding Angela Merkel and becoming the centre-left Social Democrats’ (SPD) first chancellor in 15 years as the first week of coalition talks were hailed a success.

“This will probably be the largest industrial modernisation project that Germany has carried out for over 100 years,” Mr Scholz said.

The party leaders unveiled a detailed policy paper they say can be a blueprint for a successful three-way coalition between the SPD, Greens and FDP.

It includes commitments to raise the minimum wage to €12 (£10) an hour and replace the current social security system with more generous benefits.

Headline climate policies include a commitment to phase out coal power by 2030, five years ahead of the current schedule, and plans to devote two per cent of Germany’s landmass to generating wind power.

But some of the most high-profile Green policies were missing, including their demand for a 130km/h (83mph) speed limit on the German motorways.

Speed-limit-free autobahns are totemic for parts of German society.