Candidates to succeed Merkel clash on Nord Stream 2 pipeline

FILE PHOTO: A road sign directs traffic towards the Nord Stream 2 gas line landfall facility entrance in Lubmin, Germany, September 10, 2020. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

BERLIN (Reuters) - The conservative and Greens candidates to succeed German Chancellor Angela Merkel after September's federal election clashed on Thursday on the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia, and on whether Germany should host U.S nuclear weapons.

In their first debate, focused on foreign and security policy, Armin Laschet, from Merkel's conservative alliance, welcomed a decision by the U.S. administration this week to waive sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its chief executive.