Climate Foundation MV's board loses Sellering; no replacement in sight according to Pegel.

Climate Foundation MV's board loses Sellering; no replacement in sight according to Pegel.

After the unexpected departure of Erwin Sellering (SPD) as the Director of the Climate Foundation MV, the foundation won't receive a new leader. According to the foundation's rules, the board doesn't necessarily have to include three members. In a response to a question posed during a parliamentary debate in Schwerin, Christian Pegel (SPD) explained, "We're aiming to keep the foundation running, and we're managing it."

The law permits Manuela Schwesig (SPD) as the Governor to select one, two, or three board members. Since the current board has been in place for only a few months, Pegel believes reappointing them isn't necessary. Members from the CDU and Green factions, Sebastian Ehlers and Constanze Oehlrich, respectively, questioned this interpretation of the rules. Ehlers highlighted the clause in the regulations that demanding a new board member appointment after a resignation.

The Climate Foundation MV has been a topic of debate since its inception in early 2021 at the behest of the state government, intended to support the construction of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. Ever since, there's been a heated dispute. While the state legislature chose to terminate the foundation in March 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sellering, who was appointed by the government, challenged this decision based on German law. A legal advisor confirmed Sellering's position.

Pegel remarked that the parliament had asked the government in March to hand over the foundation to civil society. Negotiations are underway now. However, a majority of the opposition in the state parliament still wants the foundation dissolved. The foundation is contentious mainly due to its funding coming from Russian sources. Nord Stream 2 AG, a branch of the state-owned Russian conglomerate Gazprom, donated 20 million euros for environmental initiatives, while the state contributed 200,000 euros as a starting budget.

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1. Despite the absence of a new leader following Erwin Sellering's departure from the Climate Foundation MV, Christian Pegel assures the foundation will continue to operate.
2. Under the stewardship of the Governor Manuela Schwesig, the state government has the authority to appoint one, two, or three board members to the foundation.
3. The SPD's Christian Pegel believes the current board members, who have served for a short period, do not require reappointment.
4. The CDU and Green faction members, Sebastian Ehlers and Constanze Oehlrich, respectively, dispute Pegel's interpretation of the regulations, citing a requirement for a new appointment after a resignation.
5. The establishment of the Climate Foundation MV in early 2021, initiated by the state government, has been a contentious issue due to its funding from Russian sources, specifically Nord Stream 2 AG.
6. Pegel mentioned that the parliament had requested in March for the government to transfer the foundation's management to civil society, and negotiations are ongoing, with a significant opposition advocating for its dissolution.

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