SHARE
The Implications of Germany's Accession to the TPNW
Germany is set to have a new government after the elections on September 26th. The Majority of Germans want their government to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Thomas Hajnoczi, former Head of Disarmament of the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs analysed the implications of Germany's accession to the TPNW.
Download the Analysis here
As a State Party to the TPNW, Germany would have to stop stationing American nuclear weapons on its territory. Notably, under Article 4(4) Germany can join the treaty first and then end the nuclear sharing according to an agreed schedule. German companies would have to cease projects in research, manufacturing, maintenance and export of key components of nuclear weapons. This includes financing those activities related to nuclear weapons, but allows financing companies for other purposes. Germany's NATO membership is not affected by joining the TPNW, since its founding document, the North Atlantic Treaty, does not mention nuclear weapons. In fact, NATOs 2010 strategy aims at creating the conditions for a world without nuclear weapons. The vast majority of countries would welcome Germany into the TPNW's family of State Parties. Germany would be taking the initiative within NATO to open the door for other allies to also choose a security strategy which rejects all weapons of mass destruction.
Header/Cover Image: Deutscher Bundestag/ Simone N. Neumann