Schwerin (dpa/mv) – The planned dissolution of the controversial climate foundation MV remains associated with imponderables for the opposition in the Schwerin state parliament. The Green MP Constanze Oehlrich complained on Wednesday after a meeting of the legal committee that the red-red government was unwilling to provide information. “It borders on a refusal to work when Justice Minister Jacqueline Bernhardt, as the person responsible for foundation supervision and part of the state government, refuses to provide relevant information,” said Oehlrich. Thus, one of the most important questions remains unanswered: Whether Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD) has reached an agreement with the foundation board around her predecessor Erwin Sellering, which could have far-reaching financial and legal consequences for the country.
The climate foundation MV, which has been criticized for its support of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline and the significant financing with Russian money, was founded in early 2021 after a parliamentary decision. After the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the parliament decided to seek a dissolution. According to an agreement with the government, the foundation’s board of directors wants to step down in September and thus clear the way for this.
According to Oehlrich, a legal assessment of a possible exemption from liability for the board of directors is open. Work and deliveries to complete the gas pipeline amounting to 165 million euros were carried out via the foundation’s economic part, which has since been suspended. Nord Stream 2 provided the foundation with 20 million euros for climate protection projects.
Minister of Justice Bernhardt (left) rejected Oehlrich’s allegations. Two other ministers signed the “joint declaration” with the foundation on behalf of the country. “The state is involved in this declaration in its capacity as a founder, but not in the form of the foundation supervisory authority. I was happy to point out to the Legal Affairs Committee today that I will not answer questions about the interpretation of the “joint declaration” for this reason can,” explained Bernhardt. However, the committee is at liberty to direct such questions to the authors of the declaration – i.e. to the interior and economics ministers – in accordance with the departmental principle.
