Over the summer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned her talks with Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron in an address to the Italian parliament.
France did not sign the letter. During a September EU Competitiveness Council, France made clear that any movement on the 2035 legislation would have to include requirements that cars be largely made in Europe — something both Berlin and Rome opposed.
Although the text of the letter has not yet been published, Italy has been lobbying hard against the 2035 legislation since its inception.
Merz, meanwhile, spoke out against the combustion engine ban on the campaign trail but took a more measured tone upon taking office in May, when he had to join with the more climate-conscious Social Democrats to form a government.
Although Germany ultimately supported the 2035 measure under the previous Commission, that backing came with numerous doubts and caveats. Conservatives have since shifted against the measure, with the European People’s Party, which includes the Christian Democrats, now calling for a rethink.
That’s created domestic political tensions as conservatives, backed by Germany’s powerful car sector, argue that ending the sale of combustion engine cars will hurt an industry that’s already facing huge problems in shifting to electric vehicles, as well as dealing with Chinese competition and the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Last month, Merz broke with the coalition and told attendees at a Berlin event that the Commission needs to “lift this ban on combustion engines.”
The chancellery did not immediately comment or release a statement on the letter.
