Schröder before the investigative committee: What does he say about the Nord Stream pipeline?

Schröder before the investigative committee: What does he say about the Nord Stream pipeline?

On July 8, 2025, the investigative committee in the Schwerin state parliament caused a stir. The reason for this is the behavior of the state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania with regard to the MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation. This foundation was launched in 2021 to secure the completion of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline despite US sanctions. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania provided 200,000 euros in capital, while Gazprom, the parent company of Nord Stream AG, provided 20 million euros. Augsburger Allgemeine reports that the SPD rejected a return to natural gas deliveries from Russia at its federal party conference, which shows a clear position in the context of energy policy after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

With over 60 witness interviews and a review of files, the committee is trying to shed light on the dependence on Russian energy. So far, 230 applications for evidence have been discussed and important questions about the need for a second Baltic Sea pipeline have been addressed. It was also discovered that the Climate Protection Foundation acted as a legal shield and awarded contracts worth over 160 million euros. NDR reports by a former executive director of the foundation, who described it as a “quasi-governmental organization,” indicating close links between politics and business.

The role of Gerhard Schröder

One of the main players at the center of the investigation is former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder. He was chairman of the supervisory board of Nord Stream AG and president of Nord Stream 2 AG. The panel has questions about his contacts with the state government and his role in completing the pipeline. However, his statement has not been made for some time. Several appointments have so far been canceled for health reasons, but a third invitation to testify is now scheduled for October 17th. Augsburger Allgemeine reports that an official medical report should clarify whether Schröder is fit to be questioned; his lawyer, however, criticizes this demand as legally questionable.

However, the committee is flexible and opens up possibilities for alternative surveys, be it via video conferences or in Hanover. In a letter to MPs, Schröder also admitted to memory gaps regarding his conversations about the pipeline project - behavior that was also compared to Olaf Scholz's memory problems in the Cum-Ex Committee, which fuels the debate about memory and responsibility.

Energy policy in transition

The political developments surrounding Nord Stream 2 are not only a hot potato in state politics, energy policy is also being targeted at the federal level. The federal government is striving to become independent of Russian gas and sees the energy transition as an integral part of security policy. Economics Minister Robert Habeck emphasized that there should no longer be any “taboos on thinking”. Tagesschau reports of a goal to achieve 100% green electricity by 2035, with renewable energies, especially wind and solar, to be significantly expanded. The discussion about the coal phase-out and the need to expand the infrastructure for LNG and hydrogen is also becoming increasingly urgent.

In the midst of these discussions, the investigative committee sets high standards for efficiency and transparency while the political climate remains tense. The population currently has other problems in focus, but it remains to be seen what long-term impact these investigations will have on politics.