Overview
- Former economy minister Sigmar Gabriel told the Schwerin committee he recalls no close or regular cooperation between the federal government and the state on the pipeline.
- He characterized Nord Stream 2 as chiefly a private-sector undertaking focused on securing gas supply after energy-market liberalization.
- Gabriel acknowledged misjudging Vladimir Putin’s intentions, calling it one of the biggest mistakes of German foreign policy in which he was involved.
- Former chancellery chief and economy minister Peter Altmaier was scheduled to testify as a co-witness on Friday.
- Lawmakers are scrutinizing Klimastiftung MV, created in 2021 with €20 million from Nord Stream 2 AG versus €200,000 from the state, which helped complete the pipeline under U.S. sanctions pressure, and they plan to hear Olaf Scholz on 21 November as they aim to finish before the 2026 state election.