The Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Manuela Schwesig (SPD), who is under pressure because of her Russia policy, sees no reason to resign.

"Six months ago there was a state election in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and the citizens confirmed me in my office with a large majority, with a strong vote of the citizens," she said, according to a government spokesman on Thursday at a meeting of the northern German state governments in keel.

Schwesig went on to say: "That's why the people in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania can also rely on me to continue to live up to this expectation and trust of the citizens." The head of government in Schwerin has been exposed to increasing criticism since the Russian attack on Ukraine , to be too close to Russian interests.

The main focus is on the use of Schwesig and the state governments she leads for the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline built by the Russian energy company Gazprom, which ends on the German side on the Mecklenburg-Western Pomeranian Baltic Sea coast.

In this context, the state's own climate and environmental foundation has been criticized in particular.

Last year, through covert business activities, it helped to complete the pipeline, which is threatened by possible US sanctions. However, due to the Russian attack on Ukraine, the pipeline will not be put into operation until further notice by order of the federal government.

According to media reports, the pipeline company Nord Stream 2 AG exerted a strong influence on the Schwerin state government when the foundation was established.

Pressure on Schwesig, who leads a government alliance with the left, comes mainly from the CDU and the Greens.

In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, elections were held last October.

Until then, a coalition of SPD and CDU ruled in Schwerin.

Schwesig announced a change in policy towards Russia after the Russian attack on Ukraine on February 28.

Among other things, she spoke out in favor of the dissolution of the controversial foundation.