In Germany's Reinhardswald, plans to construct 18 wind turbines have faced fierce opposition from far-right groups, framing the project as a threat to national identity. While conservationists endorse the clean energy benefits, local sentiment is divided, exacerbated by fearmongering from political leaders. Alice Weidel, co-leader of the AfD party, made headlines promising to dismantle the turbines if elected, reflecting a broader global trend of far-right resistance against renewable energy amidst an ongoing energy transition. The project symbolizes a clash between environmental goals and political populism.
At an Alternative fur Deutschland conference in January, just weeks before the party doubled its vote share to become the second-biggest force in parliament, its co-leader Alice Weidel promised to tear them all down if the AfD came to power.
Attacks on renewable energy and policies to reach net zero pollution have become a core pillar of far-right campaigns across the developed world.
Ralf Paschold says far-right opponents have spread horror images of the entire forest being torn down and replaced by huge industrial windmills.
Wind turbines generated one-third of German electricity last year but have come under repeated attacks from the centre-right and far-right parties that won the most votes in February's election.
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