Exposing Angela Merkel's Role in Nord Stream 2: Green Party Demands Inquiry
Let's Get to the Bottom of It
Greens Seek Instigation of Investigative Committee Regarding Merkel's Russia Diplomacy
The Green Party has raised a stink, demanding a parliamentary investigation into the suspicious dealings of former Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) with Gazprom, the Russian gas corporation. In an interview with the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Green co-chair Felix Banaszak expressed his concerns, stating, "Without thorough parliamentary investigation, we won't solve the questions lurking in the shadows today."
According to jaw-dropping findings from the Süddeutsche Zeitung's investigation, it appears that Merkel chose to twiddle her thumbs when it came to the sale of German gas storage facilities to Gazprom back in 2015. Internal documents from the Chancellor's Office reveal that Merkel neglected to intervene, despite warnings of potential risks and Russia's annexation of Crimea.
Shining a Light on the Past
As Banaszak pointed out, the fact that Merkel's role in Nord Stream 2 is only coming to light through dogged research by the media is a two-edged sword. On one hand, it showcases the wealth of secrets hidden away in the Chancellor's files. On the other, it underscores the reluctance of those involved in the deals to provide transparency, when it comes to their responsibilities in the largest energy, economic, and foreign policy missteps in German history.
Green politician Michael Kellner, formerly a Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy, expressed his concerns that the Nord Stream 2 fiasco is yet another example of Merkel disregarding warnings and allowing herself to be duped by the Kremlin. Kellner alleges, "Merkel was aware of the risks and turned a blind eye."
The Smoking Gun
According to documents obtained by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, Merkel was made aware in writing on September 2, 2015, that a series of asset swaps were planned. Gazprom would gain a stake in the German gas market, while BASF subsidiary Wintershall would receive a share of gas fields in West Siberia. Despite the Chancellor's Office recognizing the risks internally, they saw no legal reason to block the transaction.
However, it's worth noting that Gazprom, by gaining control over strategic gas storage facilities, would have been directly responsible for the security of gas customers.
Call to Action
The Green Party is adamant that a thorough examination is needed to uncover the truth behind Merkel's dealings with Russia. Time and time again, they have been met with flimsy excuses from the Chancellor's Office. If the mistakes of the past are to be avoided in the future, the Green Party believes that transparency and accountability are essential.
The investigations by the Green Party and other opposition groups call for an immediate and in-depth inquiry into Merkel's deals with Gazprom to put a stop to this shady business and bring the truth to light.
Source: ntv.de, afp
Insights:
- Former Chancellor Angela Merkel's support for Nord Stream 2 has led to widespread criticism, and suspicion surrounding her dealings with Gazprom.
- The Green Party, among other opposition groups, has demanded a parliamentary investigation into her role in the sale of gas storage facilities to Gazprom.
- Green politician Michael Kellner has accused Merkel of overlooking risks associated with Nord Stream 2, allowing Germany to become overly reliant on Russian gas.
- The implications of Merkel's decisions have raised geopolitical concerns, as Russia exerts influence over Europe's energy market and strains relationships with European allies and the U.S.
- The Green Party's call for a parliamentary investigation into Angela Merkel's dealings with Gazprom extends to the sale of German gas storage facilities, raising questions about the former Chancellor's employment policy with regards to the industry and energy sector.
- The suspicious failures to intervene in significant energy deals, such as the sale of German gas storage facilities to Gazprom in 2015, have been linked to broader policy and legislation, particularly in politics involving finance and the energy sector.
- The Green Party's demand for transparency in the past deals of Angela Merkel, including her role in Nord Stream 2, highlights the necessity of examining employment policy and its impact on industry, finance, and energy, as well as the broader implications of policy-and-legislation decisions on general news and geopolitical relationships.
