Lawmakers of the oppositional green-party in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern contest the official objectives of the myster curious foundation for climate and environmental protection "Stiftung Klima- und Umweltschutz MV" that was founded at the instigation of prime minister Manuela Schwesig, staunch supporter of the contentious pipeline. Anti-corruption organisation Transparency International blames the opacity of the organisation, writes WELT:
And yet he doesn't move. After the meeting with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Moscow, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) was once again unable to bring himself to clearly name the controversial Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline as a possible sanctions instrument against Russia. When asked a question, the chancellor said somewhat casually: "As far as the pipeline itself is concerned, everyone knows what's going on."
By this, Scholz means: If Russia intervenes militarily in Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 will not receive an operating license. The Chancellor does not state this clearly, among other things, because influential Social Democrats have different ideas about what is "going on" with the pipeline, also in view of Russian aggression: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) said at the New Year's reception of the Eastern Committee of the German economy at the end of January, when the current Ukraine crisis had long been smoldering: "I hope for a speedy, rule-of-law procedure so that the line can go into operation." It still does to this day.
Alongside former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder (SPD), the prime minister is regarded as the strongest champion of the gas pipeline. But in view of Schwesig's increasing doggedness, resistance grew. The Greens in the Schwerin state parliament have now handed the state government a comprehensive package of small inquiries that could put Schwesig and other pipeline supporters in an extremely uncomfortable position.
