In a position paper, sent to Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (The Greens) and Minister President of the State of Mecklenburg-Prepomerania Manuela Schwesig (SPD), seven mayors of communities on the Baltic island of Ruegen are calling for Russian gas flows to Germany to be continued. The chosen path of sanctions, particularly against the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, is not the right one, they write. Among others, the mayor of Bergen, Anja Ratzke (non-party), the Sassnitz city chief Frank Kracht (non-party, candidate of the Left Party), and the mayor of Binz, Karsten Schneider (non-party), have signed the paper.
Cutting off gas from Russia would mean an explosion in the cost of living, cause social imbalance and discord, which could grow uncontrollably, these local politicians warn. The mayors view the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and the Nord Stream 2 gas pipe both as being important for energy security “in the long term,” they say, adding that a “a general rethink in solving the currently pending problems in relations with Russia” is urgent. A diplomatic path must be taken, they say.
