On Friday, October 17, Germany’s Social Democratic former chancellor Gerhard Schröder slammed a state parliamentary inquiry into the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia as “ridiculous” and said he did not regret his role in its controversial construction.
The inquiry, held by the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regional parliament, is examining political influence surrounding the pipeline’s construction between Russia and Germany, as well as possible Russian interventions in favour of the project.
Giving evidence via video link and citing ill health following a burnout diagnosis, Schröder, 81, told the panel it had been an “extremely sensible decision” for the state to consent to the creation of the Climate Protection Foundation—allegedly used to shield companies involved in building it from U.S. sanctions.
Germany needed natural gas at reasonable prices, Schröder said, adding that he saw no reason to abandon the “proven cooperation” with Russia that his predecessors had established in the energy sector.
The Nord Stream 2 pipeline never went into operation, as German authorities halted its approval process just days before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Later that year, bomb attacks on both Nord Stream 2 and the original Nord Stream pipeline ruptured three of the four pipeline strings.
