Energy fears weaken German taboos over nuclear power and speed limits

Divisive ideas such as keeping nuclear plants open and regulating autobahn are now gaining traction

Germany's energy crisis has led the coalition government to toy with ideas that have long been seen as politically taboo, such as extending the life of unpopular nuclear power plants and - perhaps even more divisive - imposing a speed limit on the autobahn in the hope it will reduce fuel usage.

As the country braces for a winter of uncertainty amid fears that Russian gas could be cut off completely and electricity may be in short supply, the three-way coalition of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business FDP are looking for ways to ease the situation.