The anti-Russian provocations by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz face opposition in his own Christian Democrat party. Prominent opposition comes from the Saxony’s Minister President Michael Kretschmer, who has publicly rejected the statement by Chancellor Merz calling for eternal sanctions against the Nord Stream pipeline in line with EU Commission plans. Kretschmer told Zeit Online that the pipelines should be used again to enter into talks with Russia. “Nord Stream is a possible opening for talks with Russia.” He called for 20% of Germany’s gas requirements to be covered by imports from Russia again.
Although Merz and his like in the pro-war current of the CDU have decided not to pay attention to Kretschmer, Sahra Wagenknecht of the BSW party told DPA: “Michael Kretschmer is right. We have long been calling for Germany to talk to Russia about reopening Nord Stream—out of our own economic interest.” She added: “We need cheap energy to overcome the economic crisis and avert the deindustrialization of our country. Instead of sourcing expensive liquid gas from the U.S.A. and Russia, as is currently the case, the pipelines should be reactivated,” emphasized Wagenknecht. She recommended that Kretschmer launch an initiative in the Bundesrat (upper house of Parliament). He has the support of the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance for it, she said.
