I agree it's irrational fear, but I can understand for many that if they had to choose between living near something that there's no reason to believe will ever

I agree it's irrational fear, but I can understand for many that if they had to choose between living near something that there's no reason to believe will ever prove immediately fatal (a coal-fired power station) and one for which there have been historic examples of unexpected fatal explosions, they'd choose the former, all else being equal (which of course we know it isn't). In Germany's case I agree it makes no sense, given the number of reactors located in neighbouring countries and the fact Germany has an established nuclear industry with experienced engineers etc. (and more limited renewable options), and is generally well positioned to scale up rapidly to replace fossil-fuel based power.