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Merkel suspends plan to extend life-spans of German nuclear plants

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Berlin, Mar 15, IRNA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel here Monday announced a three-month moratorium on plans to extend operating time of country's 17 nuclear power plants in a bid to undergo safety checks first.

Addressing media representatives at the chancellery, Merkel stressed the the three-month suspension on extending the life-spans of nuclear reactors should be used to have a comprehensive security review of German nuclear installations 'without any taboos.'

The German leader reiterated that the moratorium should include a 'sincere discussion on energy' by prioritizing aspects of energy security.

Meanwhile, Merkel said that it was likely that some of the older German nuclear plants would be closed down permanently as a result of the latest decision to have such a moratorium.

Merkel's center-right government has come under intense public pressure in the aftermath of Japan's nuclear disaster ahead of key regional elections later this month.

The government coalition, comprised of Merkel's Christian Democrats and Free Democrats agreed in September to extend the life-span of the country's nuclear plants, going back on a pledge of a gradual phase-out under previous chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

Japan's nuclear fiasco has revived Germany's formerly powerful anti-nuclear movement which has announced plans for mass rallies and protests across the country over the next weeks.

Anti-nuclear activists have also used popular social media websites like Facebook and Twitter to organize mass protests.

The nuclear catastrophe in Japan has sparked also fears among Germans over possible consequences over the atomic accident.

German pharmacies are reporting an increase in the sale of iodine pills and electronic stores point to a growing demand for Geiger counters - devices used to measure radioactivity.

Geiger counters cost between 300 and 500 euros in Germany.

The last time they were in high demand in Germany was after the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Ukraine, which spread radioactive waste across Europe.