The Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany remains committed to phasing out nuclear power, according to comments by designated environment minister Sigmar Gabriel.

Asked if he was prepared to accept a review of the policy in the country’s planned grand coalition government, Gabriel said: “That won’t happen with the SPD.”

Angela Merkel heads up major coalition partners the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) and has proposed extending the operating life of safe nuclear power plants in return for lower power prices.