25 German years, part 4
2011 to 2015 – from the decision about the energy transition to the 25th anniversary of reunification
2011 – Accelerated energy transition. Following the disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, the Federal Government decides that Germany will phase out nuclear energy by 2022 – much earlier than planned. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced to 40% less than 1990s levels by 2020.
2012 – New head of state. The Federal Assembly elects Joachim Gauck, former GDR civil rights campaigner and Federal Commissioner for the Records of the Stasi, as the eleventh President of the Federal Republic of Germany. Gauck’s main interest also determines his inaugural address: freedom.
2013 – Momentous flood. Rivers burst their banks in several central European countries after violent and persistent rainfall. Germany is affected again, too, with water levels even rising above those of the “flood of the century” in 2002. The damage is enormous, especially along the Elbe.
2014 – Fourth World Cup win. Germany experiences a football summer fairytale in Brazil. Manager Joachim Löw’s national team win the Rio de Janeiro final against Argentina 1:0. It is Germany’s fourth World Cup victory after 1954, 1974 and 1990.
2015 – Living unity. Germany commemorates reunification 25 years ago. Frankfurt am Main is the location of the main festivities on and around 3 October. The city expects to welcome one million people during the three-day people’s festival.
