Unveiling Merkel's Gas Deal with Gazprom: A Shady Sell-Off Amid Geopolitical Turmoil
Gazprom Agreement Signed Amid subtly Nodded Approval from Merkel
The Chancellery has finally let loose a batch of files under legal pressure revealing the ins and outs of Angela Merkel's greenlighting of the gas storage deal with the Russian behemoth, Gazprom. This move sheds light on the troubled Russia policies of her government, particularly after the crisis in Ukraine.
internal documents from the Chancellery obtained by "Süddeutsche Zeitung" detail how Merkel, despite receiving warnings and the annexation of Crimea by Russia, allowed this questionable deal to go down. Once the gas storage facilities were in Gazprom's hands, the corporation became the direct supplier of numerous German entities, making them accountable for their supply security.
The committee was reportedly informed in writing in September 2015 that, due to Nord Stream 2's involvement, there would be a swap. Gazprom was to receive a stake in Germany's gas trading, while Wintershall, a BASF subsidiary, would receive a stake in West Siberian gas fields. In the documents, SPD Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel assured BASF that there were no energy policy concerns about the swap. The Chancellery, acknowledging the risks, saw no legal grounds to halt the transaction.
As Poland, Ukraine, and the Baltic states would likely respond negatively due to the Ukraine crisis, the Chancellery devised arguments to counter this reaction, maintaining there were no Russia sanctions violations and no grounds for prevention under the Foreign Trade and Payments Act, provided the deal transpired through the German Gazprom subsidiary.
These docs underscore a more intricate, behind-the-scenes approach by the Chancellery in supporting the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, while publicly parading it as a private economic endeavor. A report submitted by Merkel on July 16, 2015, corroborates this assertion, revealing the German government's covert backing for the project.
In summary, Angela Merkel's government, under pressure to keep the gas flowing, gave Gazprom the nod in a shady deal that elevated the Russian corporation to having direct control over the supply security of numerous German entities. This decision, despite internal warnings and the tense geopolitical climate, served to maintain economic ties with Russia, a key part of Merkel's foreign policy.
- The employment policy of Germany's government is highlighted in these revelations, as German entities became dependent on Gazprom for their supply security, a consequence of the employment policy decisions made regarding the gas deal.
- The intertwining of industry and politics is evident in the energy sector, as the deal between Angela Merkel's government and Gazprom involves financial transactions, industry expansion (with Gazprom's stake in Germany's gas trading), and political implications (influencing relationships between Germany, Russia, and other European countries).
- The community policy of Germany's government is under scrutiny, particularly in relation to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, as the government appears to have taken a covert approach in supporting the project, which may have broader implications for the European community, including geopolitical and general-news ramifications.
