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Thorsten Frei (CDU)
Photo: Bernd von Jutrczenka / picture alliance / dpa
The CDU politician Thorsten Frei has called for a special investigator on the events in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania surrounding the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline for Russian gas.
"It's about time that the incredible events surrounding the Kremlin swamp in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are independently clarified," said the parliamentary director of the Union parliamentary group of the "Bild" newspaper.
"Schwerin should request external investigators to use all legal options." According to the newspaper, he spoke of long-term entanglements and attempts at cover-ups.
Frei referred to the recently reported case that a tax office employee had burned a tax return from the MV Climate Foundation in spring 2022.
It was only shortly before Christmas 2022 that the state government informed the committee of inquiry into the climate foundation.
According to a report in the magazine "Cicero", a tax officer is said to have burned the tax returns from the climate foundation in a fireplace - out of concern for personal complications.
There was probably political pressure on the authorities, "Cicero" continued.
Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig (SPD), on the other hand, rejected any influence on the part of politicians.
»But one thing is very clear: The question of how much tax someone has to pay is checked by the responsible tax authorities.
And the State Chancellery and especially the Prime Minister have no influence on that.«
Almost ten million euros in gift tax demanded
Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD) made it clear that the documents concerned had been requested and submitted.
He also rejected any political influence on the responsible tax office.
»The MV Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation has received notification of the payment of the gift tax from the responsible tax office.
There was no political influence on the clerks in the tax office,” explained Geue.
The question of how much tax a taxpayer has to pay is checked by the responsible tax office.
The foundation was set up at the instigation of the state government, primarily for the purpose of supporting the completion of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline under threats of US sanctions against the companies involved.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Prime Minister Schwesig has wanted to get rid of the foundation, the second branch of which is dedicated to climate protection education.
til/dpa
