North Stream 2
Norbert Röttgen suggests Manuela Schwesig’s resignation
According to the latest reports about her ties with Russia, Manuel Schwesig has gotten into trouble
© Jens Krick / Picture Alliance
Manuela Schwesig deliberately deceived the public, judges CDU politician Norbert Röttgen. He advises the minister to resign.
CDU foreign affairs expert Norbert Röttgen suggested that Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) resign after recent reports about her ties with Russia. “If the circumstances recently described in the media are true, then Ms. Schwesig cannot remain in office; that is completely impossible,” said the member of the Bundestag to the editorial network Germany (RND, Sunday).
Röttgen expects transparency from Manuela Schwesig
Schwesig had colluded with a Russian company and consistently and deliberately deceived the public, he judged. Referring to other SPD politicians such as former SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Röttgen added: “It is now the SPD’s responsibility to systematically work through these long-standing, secret entanglements with the Russian state and with companies controlled by Russia.”
Claudia Müller (Greens), a member of the Bundestag from the north-eastern state, said: “I expect Ms. Schwesig to be fully transparent and deal honestly with her previous Russia policy.”
The opposition factions CDU, Greens and FDP in the Schwerin state parliament announced last week that a parliamentary committee of inquiry into the long-standing contacts between Schwesig and the SPD with the Russian state-owned company Gazprom is to be set up in May. He should also clarify the circumstances of the establishment and work of the foundation for climate and environmental protection in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, financed with millions from Russian gas deals.
The foundation was launched in early 2021 to help complete the Nord Stream 2 pipeline despite threats of US sanctions.