Merkel seeks to preserve jobs while phasing out coal plants

Angela Merkel’s commission plotting Germany’s exit from coal faces a tricky balancing act: how to stop mining and burning the dirtiest fossil fuel without whipping up more voter anxiety over job losses. Germany’s chancellor meets with coal-state governors who sit on the commission on Tuesday in Berlin. They have until next month to explain how Europe’s biggest economy should ditch a fuel that still generates two-fifths of their electricity and gives paychecks to more than 50 000 workers.