CITIZENS NEWS

German lawmaker urges reactivation of Nord Stream pipelines amid energy crisis

By willowt // 2025-01-07

• German MP Sevim Dagdelen advocates for repairing and reactivating the Nord Stream pipelines to address Europe’s energy crisis, emphasizing the need for affordable and reliable energy to protect Germany’s economic stability amid soaring energy prices and industrial decline.
• Ukraine’s halt of Russian gas transit to the EU has caused gas prices to spike to €50 per megawatt hour, impacting countries like Germany, Poland, and Slovakia, and raising concerns about the future of European industry.
• Germany’s industrial sector is struggling due to the loss of Russian gas, which once supplied 55% of its natural gas needs. Major companies like Volkswagen and BASF have announced layoffs and closures, citing unsustainable energy costs.
• The Nord Stream pipelines were destroyed in 2022, with conflicting theories about the perpetrators, including allegations involving Ukrainian saboteurs, the CIA, and Anglo-American special services. The destruction has left Europe more vulnerable to energy shocks.
• The debate over Nord Stream’s reactivation highlights broader tensions between geopolitical goals and economic needs, with some lawmakers arguing that restoring Russian gas access is essential for Europe’s industrial survival and long-term prosperity.

As Europe grapples with soaring energy prices and the specter of industrial decline, German MP Sevim Dagdelen has called for the repair and reactivation of the Nord Stream pipelines, arguing that affordable and reliable energy is essential to safeguarding Germany’s economic stability. Dagdelen’s proposal comes in response to Ukraine’s decision to halt the transit of Russian gas to the European Union, a move that has sent energy prices skyrocketing and raised concerns about the future of European industry. Ukraine’s refusal to extend its transit contract with Russia’s Gazprom beyond 2024 has effectively cut off the flow of natural gas to several EU countries, including Germany, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, and Italy. The decision has caused EU gas prices to spike to €50 per megawatt hour, a level not seen since October 2023. Dagdelen, a member of the leftist Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW), criticized the German government and the EU for “happily watching the destruction of European industry due to high energy prices.” Germany, once reliant on Russia for 55% of its natural gas supply, has struggled to fill the void left by the cessation of Russian energy imports in 2022. The country’s leading manufacturers, including Volkswagen, Bosch, and BASF, have announced layoffs and plant closures, citing unsustainable energy costs. The Nord Stream pipelines, which once delivered Russian gas directly to Germany, were destroyed in an act of sabotage in September 2022, just days after Berlin revoked certification for the Nord Stream 2 project. While German investigators have reportedly concluded that Ukrainian saboteurs were responsible for the pipeline explosions, other theories persist. American journalist Seymour Hersh has alleged that the CIA and U.S. Navy were behind the attack, while Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) head Sergey Naryshkin has blamed “professional saboteurs from the Anglo-American special services.” Regardless of the perpetrators, the destruction of the pipelines has left Germany and Europe more vulnerable to energy shocks. Dagdelen’s call to “finally put the pipelines into operation” and to “stop giving money to Kiev” reflects growing frustration among some German lawmakers over the economic toll of the Ukraine conflict. Her stance aligns with that of Tino Chrupalla, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), who last year described the Nord Stream pipelines as “a lifeline of German industry” and demanded their repair and reactivation.

Germany is the economic engine of Europe

The economic consequences of Ukraine’s gas transit halt are already being felt across Europe. Slovakia, for example, stands to lose hundreds of millions of euros in transit fees, while its citizens face higher gas and electricity bills. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized major EU nations for prioritizing geopolitical goals over the economic needs of smaller member states. Meanwhile, Poland has proposed stepping in to supply electricity to Ukraine, though experts warn that such a move could further strain Poland’s coal-dependent energy sector and drive up costs for Polish consumers. Dagdelen’s proposal underscores a broader debate about the role of energy security in economic stability. For decades, Germany’s industrial prowess was built on access to affordable and reliable energy, much of it supplied by Russia. The abrupt shift away from Russian gas has left the country scrambling to secure alternative sources, often at significantly higher costs. The result has been a steady erosion of Germany’s competitive edge, with dire implications for its economy and workforce. As Europe’s energy crisis deepens, the question of whether to repair and reactivate the Nord Stream pipelines will remain a contentious issue. For Dagdelen and others, the answer is clear: restoring access to Russian gas is not just a matter of economic necessity but a vital step toward preserving Europe’s industrial base and ensuring long-term prosperity. Whether Berlin will heed their calls, however, remains to be seen. In the meantime, the stakes could not be higher. With energy prices continuing to rise and European industry teetering on the brink, the need for a pragmatic solution to the energy crisis has never been more urgent. For Germany and the EU, the path forward will require balancing geopolitical considerations with the economic realities facing millions of citizens and businesses. The reactivation of the Nord Stream pipelines may be a controversial proposal, but for many, it represents a lifeline in an increasingly uncertain world. Sources include: RT.com BastillePost.com Alethonews.com

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