Chancellor’s New Year’s speech
“Our cohesion is our greatest asset”: Scholz calls for confidence for 2023
Excerpts from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s New Year’s speech:
“Dear fellow citizens, a difficult year is coming to an end tonight. No annual review is missing the pictures of February 24, when the first Russian rockets hit Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa and other Ukrainian cities at dawn. Putin is waging an imperialist war of aggression in the middle of Europe. This turning point is also putting us and our country to the test. Many are worried about the war.”
“And we all feel the consequences of this war in our everyday life. When shopping, in the supermarket, at the gas station or when we pay the electricity or gas bill. And yet the story of this year 2022 is not just about war, suffering and worry. “
“And we in Germany didn’t give in when Russia turned off the gas tap in the summer because we wouldn’t allow ourselves to be blackmailed. That too, dear fellow citizens, is the story of the year 2022 for me. It’s about cohesion and strength and Yes, also of confidence. They all helped to write this story. Everywhere in our country.”
“That’s why I wish one thing at the beginning of this new year: let’s stay true to the path we took last year. Let’s continue on it boldly. But above all we’ll stick together in the coming year between Munich and Wilhelmshaven, between Schwarzheide in Lausitz and Cologne in the Rhineland. Wherever you say goodbye to the old year tonight and perhaps toast the new one with your family or friends. I wish you from the bottom of my heart that this new year will be a good one for you.”
In his second New Year’s speech, Olaf Scholz emphasized that 2022 would be the end of a difficult year. But the story of the year is also about cohesion, strength and confidence, according to the Federal Chancellor.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls on the people of Germany to start the new year with confidence and energy. In view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the own country, but also the EU and NATO, had demonstrated cohesion and strength, said Scholz in his New Year’s speech, the text of which was distributed in advance.
Germany is a “strong country,” said the SPD politician. “A country that is working with energy and speed towards a good, secure future. A country that joins forces, especially in difficult times. A country in which we leave no one behind – whether in the city or in the country, whether old or young, whether well-off or less wealthy, whether born here or came here later.”
Olaf Scholz calls for confidence
“A difficult year is coming to an end,” said the Chancellor. “In every year’s review there are pictures of February 24, when the first Russian rockets hit Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa and other Ukrainian cities at dawn. Putin is waging an imperialist war of aggression in the middle of Europe.” This turning point was a tough test and many people worried about the war.
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“We sympathize with the Ukrainians, who, even on days like today, cannot rest from the Russian bombs and missiles,” said Scholz. “And we all feel the consequences of this war in our everyday life: when shopping in the supermarket, at the gas station or when we pay the electricity or gas bill.”
But the story of this year is not just about war, suffering and sorrow. Putin did not overrun Ukraine in a few days, as he had planned. The Ukrainians bravely defended their homeland – also thanks to German help. Scholz pledges to continue to support Ukraine.
He pointed out that the European Union and NATO were not divided, as they had been in some previous crises, but were more united than they had been for a long time. Germany didn’t give in when Russia turned off the gas tap in the summer, “because we won’t allow ourselves to be blackmailed!” The story of the year 2022 is about cohesion and strength and also about confidence.
New Year’s speech in the context of the Ukraine war
In this context, Scholz recalled the 29 million people who worked voluntarily and on a voluntary basis, as well as the overwhelming compassion and helpfulness with which many of the refugees from Ukraine had met. At the same time, he thanked those who are committed to safety – the police, the armed forces, the fire brigades and the rescue services.
Scholz also praised his own government: Large relief packages were put together last year so that everyone could cope with the increased prices. “Our solidarity is our greatest asset,” said the Chancellor.
Engineers and skilled workers built the new floating terminal for liquid gas delivery and the necessary lines in less than 200 days. In the coming weeks and months, more liquid gas terminals went into operation – in Lubmin, in Stade and in Brunsbüttel. “This will make our country and Europe permanently independent of Russian gas,” said Scholz. “And at the same time we’ll get through this winter.”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s New Year’s speech will be broadcast on New Year’s Eve on television on Erste (8:10 p.m.) and on ZDF (7:25 p.m.).