Critique Swells Over Lengthy Examination of Citizens' LNG Petition in Rügen
The prolonged legal review of a citizens' initiative against the Rügen LNG terminal is causing growing dissatisfaction. According to Dennis Klüver, spokesman for the Mehr Demokratie association's state board, "This is being done underhanded - both with the initiative and the expectations of the 1,000 citizens who signed up for a referendum." He argues that the scrutiny is excessive, especially when compared to legal review procedures in various other German states.
The critics of the LNG terminal, who instigated the petition, have been waiting for over three months to receive a statement on the initiative's legitimacy. Klüver advocates for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania to adopt Thuringia's regulations, which evaluate citizens' petitions for admissibility before signature collection begins. In Thuringia, admissibility checks take place four weeks after an initiative's submission.
Matthias Crone, the state's ombudsman, and the AfD parliamentary group have also criticized the delay in assessing the petition's validity. The main initiator submitted more than 1,000 signatures for a referendum on September 5, aiming to prevent Fährhafen Sassnitz GmbH from entering into agreements related to the construction and operation of LNG infrastructure on the company property. Contracts that have already been sealed, such as land transfers, would be annulled.
The town of Sassnitz, the Vorpommern-Rügen district, and the Schwerin Ministry of the Interior have examined the petition's legality. Reports suggest that the district and state's assessments should be shared with the town of Sassnitz by the end of the week.
The eventual installation of the terminal's first floating LNG vessel in Mukran is set to occur in January. Most of the 50-kilometer-long pipeline connecting the facility to the mainland has already been laid. The approval process for the terminal's placement and operation of special ships continues.
Opponents view the terminal as a potential environmental and tourism risk, while the federal government perceives it as an essential component of energy security.
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- It would be beneficial for municipalities to expedite citizens' LNG petition review processes by implementing Thuringia's admissibility check system, following clear communication, and efficient documentation. Establishing a review committee, utilizing digital tools, upholding a feedback mechanism, and engaging with citizens' associations can further streamline the process, ensuring that initiatives are assessed quickly and fairly. Trained reviewers and clear time limits are also crucial components of a swift and effective review process.
