After the Fukushima Dust Settled: Shifts in Energy Policy in Germany

After the nuclear disaster of Fukushima in March 2011, the German policy on nuclear power plants shifted radically. While Angela Merkel's government had originally reversed the planned nuclear phase out only half a year before the accident, following the event, the plan was suddenly reintroduced. The dramatic character of the Fukushima accident seems a likely reason for this sudden policy shift in Germany. However, in many other countries (e.g. Belgium and France) we have only witnessed minor reactions and no such policy change following the incident. To understand the radical policy shift and the role of ideas in the German case – and to determine whether or not the Fukushima incident was indeed the major cause – this paper will qualitatively investigate the dominant frames used in the media and in the political communication of important actors in the debate.