The influence of the domestic energy industry on German energy foreign policy: the case study of the Nord Stream pipeline and Russo-German energy relations

This thesis explores how domestic factors (interest groups, energy industry, state leaders) influenced Germany's pro-Nord Stream energy pipeline outcome from 2005-2010. A single explanatory case study methodology is applied, based on the work by Yin (1984). The case study is divided into three parts: first, the ease of lobbying access to German policy-makers in the Bundestag is explored, second, an in-depth discussion of the 'revolving door phenomenon' between German politicians and the energy industry is presented, third the influence of lobbyists' to persuade decision makers, with a focus on Chancellor Angela Merkel will be shown. With the inclusion of domestic factors, we learn that the largest German energy companies (BASF, E.ON, and Wintershall) successfully lobbied their policy preferences to the Bundestag. This paper's findings illustrate that domestic politics; particularly the lobby structure of a country has the potential to significantly impact political discourse and economic decisions concerning major energy endeavors'. We learn that the making of energy policy involves both domestic and international actors. The domestic actors include German energy companies (E.ON, Wintershall, BASF), political actors (Chancellor Merkel and Parliament Ministers), and energy regulators (German legislation applicable to Nord Stream).