energy
Walter-Borjans for commissioning Nord Stream 2
SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans wants to stick to the plans for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
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The controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany is still causing a stir. The SPD leader is concerned with the infrastructure. Greens and CDU are against an operating permit.
Despite criticism from the possible green coalition partner, SPD leader Norbert Walter-Borjans pleads for the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to go into operation.
“Unfortunately, you can seldom choose suppliers based on their sympathy for a political system, which is exactly the same with oil,” said Walter-Borjans of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “In my opinion, independence is not guaranteed by cutting connections with others, but by having as many connections as possible with as many partners as possible.”
Germany participates in European economic sanctions against Russia and is committed to compliance with basic standards. “In this case, it is not about trade, but about an infrastructure that will help us to transition our highly industrialized country to climate neutrality,” said the SPD leader.
Headwind from the Greens
Greens boss Annalena Baerbock had recently spoken out against an operating permit for Nord Stream 2. According to European energy law, the operator of the gas pipeline must be different from the one who conducts the gas.
The CDU foreign politician Norbert Röttgen said the same. “European law applies – as a prerequisite for approval. Germany and Europe must not allow themselves to be blackmailed by Vladimir Putin, ”he told the“ Rheinische Post ”. At the same time, Röttgen warned against some kind of trade with the Kremlin. “There must be no deal based on the motto: Germany is not so strict about the law, in return Putin will enable gas transport. I’m curious to see how the SPD gets involved. “
The Federal Network Agency has until the beginning of January to decide on an operating permit for the controversial pipes, which are supposed to deliver up to 55 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia to Germany annually.