Exposing Merkel's Russiance: Green Party Demands Parlimentary Inquiry on Gas Deals with Putin's Squire, Gazprom
Investigation Committee Demanded for Examination of Merkel's Russia Strategies by Greens
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Green Party co-chair Felix Banaszak is pushing for a parliamentary inquiry over Chancellor Angela Merkel's (CDU) dealings with Russian Gazprom concerning the Nord Stream 2 project. He asserts, "Without serious parliamentary clarification, the questions still open today will not be resolved."
Research by the Süddeutsche Zeitung reveals that Merkel neglected to intervene in the 2015 sale of German gas storage facilities to Gazprom, despite warnings and Russia's annexation of Crimea. Internal documents from the Chancellor's Office show this, with its release only obtained through legal battles with the newspaper.
Banaszak remarks, "If it takes intense research to shed light on Angela Merkel's commitment to Nord Stream 2, then there are two things that become clear: hidden gems of political decisions and responsibility for some of the Federal Republic's greatest energy, economic, and foreign policy damage are buried deep within the well-guarded files. And secondly, those responsible and their cronies apparently still lack the courage and willingness to be transparent."
His queries to the Chancellor's Office and the Federal Ministry of Finance received unsatisfactory, meager, and incomplete responses, he claims.
Michael Kellner, former Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, tells the newspaper that the "flimsy pretense of the supposedly independent economic project Nord Stream" has crumbled with the Süddeutsche Zeitung's findings. "Merkel knew the risks and purposely overlooked them," Kellner says, adding, "She failed to fulfill her oath of office to protect the country from harm."
According to documents from the Chancellor's Office, Merkel was informed in writing on September 2, 2015, that part of BASF/Wintershall's participation in Nord Stream 2 would involve an "asset swap"; Gazprom would receive a stake in the German gas trade, and BASF subsidiary Wintershall would receive one in gas fields in West Siberia.
The Chancellor's Office reportedly saw risks internally but responded that it saw no legal basis to block the deal. Gazprom's control over important gas storage facilities, the Chancellor's Office noted, would directly impact the supply security of customers.
Angela Merkel's Role in Nord Stream 2: A Risky, Economic Move
- ** stubborn Defender**: Merkel remained firm in her support for Nord Stream 2, despite facing strong opposition from the United States. She viewed the project as essential for economic growth and energy security.
- ** Duty as an Atlanticist**: Merkel, an ardent Atlanticist, continued with the project, prioritizing Germany's energy needs following the decision to decommission nuclear power plants after the Fukushima disaster.
- Operations and Obstacles: Construction on Nord Stream 2 was completed by summer 2021, but its operations have been halted due to political pressure, primarily from the Biden administration in the U.S.
Influence on Germany's Gas Storage Facilities: A Shift Towards Dependence
- ** Heavy Reliance on Russian Gas**: Nord Stream 2 aimed to provide 40% to 50% of Germany's annual natural gas needs, making the country heavily reliant on Russian gas sources.
- ** Focus on Securing Supply**: The project's purpose might have overshadowed the importance of enhancing domestic gas storage capacities, as securing consistent gas imports took precedence.
- ** Current Struggles**: The halt of Nord Stream 2 operations and the effects of the Ukraine conflict have highlighted the need for diversified energy sources and potentially increased storage capacity to minimize reliance on external supplies.
This revelation casts doubt on Merkel's actions during her tenure, her commitment to enhancing Germany's energy security, and the degree to which she prioritized Russia's strategic interests over those of her own country.
- The Green Party's co-chair, Felix Banaszak, has called for a parliamentary inquiry into Chancellor Angela Merkel's dealings with Gazprom regarding the Nord Stream 2 project, citing the need for serious parliamentary investigation to resolve the outstanding questions.
- The industry, finance, and energy sectors, as well as policy-and-legislation and politics, are at the center of scrutiny as internal documents from the Chancellor's Office reveal that Merkel neglected to intervene in the 2015 sale of German gas storage facilities to Gazprom, despite warnings about Russia's actions.
- The general news evokes concerns about Merkel's commitment to Nord Stream 2, as her support for the project, despite opposition, during her tenure raises questions about her commitment to enhancing Germany's energy security and potential prioritization of Russia's strategic interests.
