BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The debate on the future of nuclear power, which has been gaining momentum again since the energy crisis in Germany, is based on a lack of specialist knowledge, according to the head of the Federal Office for Nuclear Waste Management (BASE), Wolfram Konig. The President of the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management (BASE) told the German Press Agency: "There have always been phases of great promises for nuclear energy. The fact that they are currently being accepted so uncritically again is, in my opinion, evidence of a rapid loss of knowledge among the general public, but also in politics." Konig retires at the end of January.

"We must note the increasing loss of consensus on nuclear energy," emphasized Konig. This increases the risk that the safe disposal of nuclear waste will fall further behind. Born in Lübeck, Konig has played a key role in nuclear policy since 2016 as head of BASE and previously as President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) from 1999 to 2017.

Unfortunately, the issue is difficult to communicate if you are serious about the problems, said Konig. "Populist slogans, on the other hand, have it easy - i.e. nuclear energy would bring prices down, or with openness to technology, the problems with nuclear waste would take care of themselves." It is the essence of democracy that society constantly reassures itself of the right path to take. "I hope it is wise enough not to repeat old mistakes."/had/DP/zb