Germany has dropped its long-held opposition to nuclear power, potentially resolving a major dispute between the two countries that has delayed decisions on EU energy policy, including during the crisis that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Berlin has signalled to Paris it will no longer block French efforts to ensure nuclear power is treated on par with renewable energy in EU legislation, according to French and German officials.

The move is being seen as a concrete sign of rapprochement with France by Berlin’s new government led by conservative chancellor Friedrich Merz.