Merz calls for a ban on north stream: political resistance is growing!

Merz calls for a ban on north stream: political resistance is growing!

Paderborn, Deutschland - Today, on May 30, 2025, Federal Politician Friedrich Merz calls for an EU-wide ban on the North Stream pipeline. The aim of this measure is to prevent the return of Russian gas to Germany. Merz commented on a appearance with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj in Berlin, which underlines the importance of the topic. Nevertheless, there is political resistance to this ban in Germany, and some investors show interest in the pipeline. According to n-tv work on a 18th sanction package, which both that North Stream pipelines as well as Russian banks.

The 17th sanction package, which took effect on May 24, 2025, comprises comprehensive measures, including a ban on around 200 ships from the Russian shadow fleet, to be able to enter into EU ports. In addition, more than 20 Russian banks are to be excluded from the international payment system Swift. These measures come while the effectiveness of the previous sanctions remains controversial. Critics doubt the influence on Russian politics, while supporters speak of considerable economic effects. IWD reports that 71 percent of Germans support sanction policy against Russia, although many people assume that they harm the German economy.

public opinion on sanctions

Approval for sanction policy varies depending on the political preference. According to an IW person survey, 91 percent of the Greens supporters and 85 percent of the SPD supporters support sanctions against Russia. In the east of Germany, the support is 56 percent, while in the west it is 73 percent. At the same time, 86 percent of the population does not believe that Russia will be a reliable trading partner in the next ten years.

Despite the fear that the frozen trade relationships of the German economy could harm more than the Russian, a high willingness to accept economic costs from solidarity with Ukraine. The demand to maintain the pressure to weaken Putin's war economy remains strong.

In addition to the sanction measures, there are cultural controversy in Germany. In Paderborn, a half -naked performance with soup chickens in diapers in front of the altar of the cathedral ensured outrage among Christians. A petition of conservative Christians calls for the "new consecration of the deteriorated cathedral". The performance was part of a ceremony for 1250 years of Westphalia and attracted high-ranking guests like Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Especially in a climate of international tensions and internal social conflicts, the public discussion about media and cultural issues remains just as important as the political debate about sanctions and strategic measures against Russia.