Gerhard Schroder, former Chancellor of Germany, will be heard on Friday as a witness in a committee investigation of the regional parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern regarding the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The hearing will take place via videoconference due to Schroder's health issues.
The committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the establishment of a foundation for environmental protection, created in 2021 to support the completion of the pipeline, in the context of threats of sanctions from the U.S. Committee members want to find out who initiated the establishment of the foundation and whether Russia exerted influence in this process. Schroder has had ties to Russian energy companies, including as chairman of the board of Nord Stream 2 AG.