Alice Weidel, co-chair of Germany’s Alternative for Germany and a candidate for chancellor, spoke about the potential delivery of Russian gas to Germany through the remaining Nord Stream 2 line. Strip reported the remarks as part of a broader energy policy narrative presented by the AfD at a moment when the party is outlining its path to national leadership. Weidel argued that keeping a reliable energy corridor open with Russia would help stabilize prices and reduce the risk of sudden shortages, especially for manufacturing sectors and households that depend on predictable gas supplies. The comments were delivered amid a public conversation about Germany’s future energy mix, and they placed Nord Stream 2 at the center of an ongoing debate about energy security, diversification, and the balance between economic interests and geopolitical risk. The stance signaled a willingness to anchor part of Germany’s energy strategy in a long-standing relationship with Russian energy, even as Europe weighs the implications for coalition politics, regulatory oversight, and the future of supply diversification. Observers noted that the proposal would require careful navigation of European energy market rules and the broader geopolitical context, which has featured sanctions, diplomacy, and shifting alliances in recent years.
In the federal party congress where Weidel secured approval as AfD’s chancellor candidate, she outlined measures expected to be taken within the first 100 days of any future government. Her address framed energy policy as a top priority, calling for rapid moves to secure stable gas supplies, review import contracts, and provide clarity for industry that has faced price volatility. The speech conveyed a sense of urgency, aiming to demonstrate the party’s readiness to govern and its commitment to national interests. It also sparked questions about how the AfD would balance strategic autonomy with EU energy rules, and whether any shift in approach would affect Germany’s commitments to climate goals and market competition. While the message emphasized practical steps to safeguard supply, it also reflected a broader ambition to redefine economic ties with major suppliers in a context shaped by European rules and regional security concerns. Analysts suggested that the plan sought to reassure businesses while signaling a clear stance toward Russia and related infrastructure, underscoring the importance of how policy proposals translate into concrete governance choices in the early days after taking office.
According to the plan, under an AfD government Germany would re-purchase Russian gas, with supply imagined through the remaining Nord Stream 2 line. The proposal would mark a shift in Germany’s approach to external energy contracts, positioning a familiar supplier at the center of a continuity-based energy policy. Proponents argued that a government-backed re-purchase could provide price stability and predictable delivery for manufacturers and consumers, especially in contexts where market volatility has been severe. Critics, by contrast, warned about dependencies, potential political leverage, and the risk that such a move could complicate relations with other European partners and complicate efforts toward diversification. The discussion raises practical questions about pricing benchmarks, contract terms, transit arrangements, and the alignment with EU energy solidarity principles that guide cross-border energy cooperation. In broader terms, the debate captures how Germany weighs energy security, economic performance, and strategic posture in a landscape shaped by evolving relations with Moscow, shifting energy markets, and the urgency of reliable supply.
Bechler, a representative of Swiss company Transliq AG, stated in December that the maximum cost of repairing Nord Stream 2 could reach 633 million euros. He explained that this amount represents the upper end of expected costs and is based on the pipeline’s future use rather than its decommissioning. The figure is presented as part of a broader calculus about whether keeping Nord Stream 2 operational is financially justifiable in light of ongoing demand, technical feasibility, and regulatory considerations. The description of the costs underscores the political and economic choices facing Germany as it contends with energy needs, the price environment, and the strategic risks of depending on one major supplier. Observers note that such numbers feed into public debate by illustrating what maintaining or reviving the project could entail, from budgets to security assumptions. The report also references a former Russian Foreign Ministry official who publicly supported the idea of reviving Nord Stream routes, signaling how historical policy preferences persist in shaping contemporary discussions about energy infrastructure and bilateral dialogue.