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Schwesig: I support the German government’s demand that the Navalny case be fully clarified. Now it is Russia’s turn. But this crime cannot be used to challenge Nord Stream 2.
SPIEGEL: So he contradicts his foreign minister.
Schwesig: I didn’t understand that Heiko Maas meant that a construction freeze is now the first option for him.
SPIEGEL: It may not be the first option. But he says he hopes Russia will not force the federal government to change its stance. That sounds different to you.
Schwesig: Like me, the Chancellor criticizes the fact that those who now call for a construction freeze have always opposed the project.
SPIEGEL: Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of the CDU, says Nord Stream 2 “is not a project close to her heart.” Why is it different with you?
Schwesig: The Baltic Sea Pipeline is a necessary energy supply and infrastructure project. Germany is rightly abandoning nuclear power and coal. In return, we rely heavily on renewable energy. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania already meets its entire electricity needs with wind power and Co. But Germany is an industrial nation with more than 80 million people. At least for the transition, we need gas for a secure energy supply in Germany.
SPIEGEL: That doesn’t explain why you are so attached to this project.
Schwesig: If we give up gas from Russia, the only alternative would be fracking gas from the US This is undoubtedly the worst alternative from an ecological point of view and also more expensive. I’d like to see more honesty on the power supply issue. Even before the Navalny case, the United States tried to stop Nord Stream 2. Employees at our port of Mukran are uneasy that US senators are threatening sanctions. This shows the severity with which the United States is proceeding as it imports more oil from Russia. These are tough financial interests. Germany must be able to decide for itself where and how it gets its energy.
SPIEGEL: After all, a possibly temporary construction freeze could hurt Russia. Nawalny’s poisoning shouldn’t have consequences?
Schwesig: I share the German government’s demand that Russian politicians and the Russian judiciary must provide clear information in a consistent and transparent manner. But we cannot anticipate the result. By the way, a construction freeze would harm not only Russia but Germany as well. We need the gas pipeline for the energy supply in Germany. And German companies are also involved in construction.
SPIEGEL: Do you really think that Russia will solve the Navalny case by the truth? So far, the smoke candles come mainly from Moscow – says its Foreign Minister.
Schwesig: It’s the federal government’s job to demand clarification. But I don’t find it compelling when those who have always been against the pipeline are now vehemently calling for construction to be frozen. The project is almost finished. So far, opponents have not answered the question of where the power should actually come from.
SPIEGEL: The left is spreading its own theories about the Navalny affair: Gregor Gysi, for example, has suggested that Navalny could also have been poisoned by opponents of Nord Stream 2. In the face of such statements, is a red-red-green coalition even conceivable?
Schwesig: I find it inappropriate to use the Navalny poisoning to question the pipeline or speculate on the government’s options.
SPIEGEL: Do you think the Left Party is capable of governing?
Schwesig: The SPD ruled very well together with the Left Party in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for many years. At that time, we managed to put the country on a course of sound financial policy. The left in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania was a constructive and reliable partner. In the federal elections we fight for a strong result for the SPD. We are the only party that so far has said which candidate for chancellor is going to vote. I am convinced that Olaf Scholz would make a very good chancellor. And then you have to look with all the democratic parties: where are the similarities and differences? And how can you govern well and reliably? It is also clear that the population wants stability, even when it comes to foreign and security affairs.
