Mecklenburg-VorpommernS Leader Defends actions Regarding Nord Stream 2 Before Investigative Panel
Schwerin, Germany – december 6, 2023 – Manuela Schwesig, Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, vigorously defended her past involvement with Nord Stream 2 AG during a session of the state parliament’s investigative committee on December 6, 2023. The committee is examining the circumstances surrounding the state’s support for the controversial gas pipeline project, and Schwesig faced pointed questions regarding a €200,000 donation received by the state for a foundation aimed at supporting structural changes in the region.
The investigative committee, established in 2022, is tasked with clarifying the extent to which the state government’s actions were influenced by the pipeline company and weather those actions were in the best interest of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The scrutiny follows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent halting of Nord Stream 2, raising concerns about the state’s economic reliance on Russian energy interests. the outcome of the committee’s inquiry could have notable implications for Schwesig’s political future and the state’s economic strategy.
Gerhard Bley, of Transparency International, stated on NDR Info that the committee’s work has already led to improvements in press access to information. Schwesig maintained that her engagement with Nord Stream 2 AG was focused on securing jobs and economic benefits for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and that she acted in accordance with her responsibilities as a state leader. She characterized the criticism as politically motivated.
