Germany Moves to Legally Shut the Door on Nord Stream Revival, Rejects Russian Gas Dependency
GerikSummary:
Germany is pushing for legal reforms to permanently block any attempt to restart the Nord Stream gas pipeline, affirming it no longer needs Russian gas and aligning with the EU's goal of energy independence from Moscow....
Legal Shields Against a Russian Energy Comeback
In a decisive shift away from past reliance on Russian energy, the German government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is pursuing legal amendments to prevent any revival of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. These efforts, revealed through internal communications from the German Ministry for Economic Affairs to Green Party lawmakers, aim to reform investment control laws and tighten regulations on ownership transfers—key loopholes that might otherwise allow external actors, including those linked to Russia, to regain influence over the pipeline.
The Nord Stream system, once a cornerstone of Germany’s energy imports, has remained dormant since multiple explosions in 2022 disabled three out of four pipelines. Despite its inactive status, the infrastructure remains a geopolitical flashpoint. Concerns have grown over rumors that Russian or American business interests with Kremlin ties may seek to restore the project, possibly circumventing current sanctions.
Berlin’s Limited Legal Reach—and Its Response
At present, Berlin lacks the authority to intervene directly in ownership changes involving the Nord Stream operator, headquartered in Switzerland. While the German government can require technical certification if the project resumes, it cannot fully prevent its reactivation without new legal instruments.
To address this, Chancellor Merz is also lobbying the European Union to include a permanent ban on Nord Stream in its upcoming Russia sanctions package. Yet, EU consensus is elusive—Slovakia recently opposed this proposal, stalling its inclusion.
The German government's draft responses to Green Party lawmakers reaffirm its firm stance: Germany neither needs nor accepts pipeline gas from Russia, and none of its LNG terminals are importing Russian liquefied natural gas. This stance aligns with broader EU objectives to phase out Russian fossil fuels and diversify the continent’s energy supply.
The Lynch Factor and Contested Lobbying
U.S. investor Stephen Lynch, who has previously expressed interest in reviving Nord Stream, was invited to the Ministry for Economic Affairs on May 6 to present his plan. The ministry emphasized that the meeting was technical, with no senior officials attending. Lynch believes that Europe will eventually revert to Russian gas imports and that only one operational pipeline would suffice to meet demand—an assumption the German government flatly rejects.
Within Germany, the Nord Stream debate cuts across party lines. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party calls for reactivating the pipeline to lower energy prices and support industry. Some senior figures in the center-right CDU and center-left SPD have echoed similar economic concerns. But Berlin’s leadership remains adamant: re-engaging with Moscow for energy not only undermines EU sanctions but also weakens long-term energy diversification goals.
Russian officials have responded sharply. A spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry accused Europe of demonstrating “helplessness” in the face of Russia’s independent foreign policy, framing the effort to block Nord Stream as a sign of Western decline rather than strength.
Germany's legal maneuvering signals a broader effort within the EU to permanently close the chapter on Russian energy dominance. The move is both symbolic and structural: by attempting to lock out Nord Stream through law and sanctions, Berlin aims to reinforce the continent’s shift toward energy sovereignty. Yet internal political divisions and external lobbying efforts underscore the complexity of detaching from a past where Russian gas underpinned Europe’s industrial competitiveness. As the EU navigates energy security amid geopolitical upheaval, Germany’s decision could serve as a bellwether for the bloc’s future resilience and strategic alignment.
Source: Reuters
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