Germany's Bundestag lacks votes to support softening EU gas directive for Nord Stream 2

The German parliament has failed to pass a bill regulating the application of amendments to the EU gas directive.

"The Bundestag does not make a decision. The meeting is canceled," according to the parliament's website.

It is noted only 133 deputies supported the bill, while 355 votes are needed for it to pass. A new meeting will be held on November 8, according to the Russian news agency RBC.

The bill provides for exemption from the requirements of the gas directive for pipelines built before May 2019. The exception will not apply to the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, since it was built before that term.

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In early April, the European Parliament approved amendments to the gas directive. According to it, the rules applicable in the territory of the European Union will apply to gas pipelines of non-EU countries if they pass through the territory of the EU member states. On May 23, the amendments entered into force.

As UNIAN reported, according to European media, the German ruling coalition has developed a new bill that is aimed to protect the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which is still under construction, from the tightened rules of the updated EU gas directive.

The EU Gas Directive, updated this year, provides for an obligation to separate a pipeline operator, independent of the company supplying it with gas. Changes to the directive also allowed it to be extended to pipelines laid from third countries, in particular, Nord Stream 2.

As a result of its implementation, Gazprom will no longer be able to own the gas pipeline and at the same time sell gas flowing through this pipe.

Russian legislation gives Gazprom a monopoly on the export of natural gas beyond Russia.