Skip to content

European legislators advocate for involvement of Parliament and Council in determining the EU's future course

Updates on Oldenburg and its Surroundings

Members advocate for the European Parliament and Council to be engaged in discussions regarding the...
Members advocate for the European Parliament and Council to be engaged in discussions regarding the European Union's future direction

European legislators advocate for involvement of Parliament and Council in determining the EU's future course

The German automotive industry, a cornerstone of the nation's economy, is facing a significant shift as the world moves towards electromobility. Bernd Lange, a European trade politician from the SPD, has raised concerns about potential social and economic challenges that could arise during this transition.

Currently, Europe is heavily dependent on China, the USA, and Taiwan for semiconductors, a critical component in electric vehicles. Lange's comments underscore the potential severity of the social upheavals if the structural change does not succeed in the German automotive industry, citing Detroit as an example of a city that underwent devastating deindustrialization in the US automotive industry.

Lange has called for greater efforts to prepare for this switch from combustion engines to electric drive. This preparation requires joint efforts by politics, trade unions, and employers in Germany. The SPD politician emphasized the importance of preventing such social upheavals during the structural change.

One example Lange suggested was for employees to be prepared for the requirements of new jobs through qualifications, such as in battery recycling. This aspect of the industry is crucial, as the problem of battery recycling needs to be addressed.

Germany should follow the example of Sweden, where an agency already exists to handle the issue of structural change in the automotive industry. However, the search results do not provide specific information on measures taken by any agency in Sweden to prepare the automotive industry for the restructuring from combustion engines to electromobility or to support affected workers in redesigning their working conditions.

Lange also demanded that the EU should prioritize preparing employees for the new jobs that will result from the transition to electromobility. This includes addressing gaps in the charging infrastructure, battery production, and digitalization of the automotive industry.

The upcoming EU summit aims to deal with the fight against climate change. It is crucial that the transition to electromobility is managed effectively to prevent potential negative impacts on the workforce and communities reliant on the automotive industry. Lange's warning implies a need for proactive measures to ensure a smooth and equitable transition for all involved.

Read also:

Latest