Project finally nearing completion, Klaus Ernst said
The process of forming the next governing coalition in Germany may be delayed and it is unlikely that the future cabinet will be able to stop Nord Stream 2. Klaus Ernst, head of the Bundestag committee for economics and energy, expressed this opinion on Wednesday in response to a TASS correspondent’s query.
“I think it is unrealistic that a future federal government could stop the project even if it wanted to. I am glad that the project is finally coming to an end”, – he said. A spokesman for the Left Party said he “does not think that a new government in the FRG will be formed by December”.
Germany will hold elections to the Bundestag on September 26, which will result in a new government and a new chancellor. The cabinet is likely to include the Greens, who are opponents of Nord Stream 2. The current government, led by Angela Merkel, has indicated that the project should be completed.
The construction of Nord Stream 2 was fully completed on 10 September. To start pumping, the project operator is required to submit certificates of compliance with technical regulations to the Stralsund city government. It would also need to obtain registration as an independent transmission operator – the Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur) has until 8 January 2022 to issue it. This agency cannot prohibit the pumping of gas, but if it starts before registration, the operator will be fined.