Status: 05/01/2022 3:42 p.m
Accompanied by protests, Chancellor Scholz promised Ukraine further German help in his speech on Labor Day – including with weapons. He had previously vigorously defended his course in an interview.
In his speech on Labor Day, Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Russia’s actions imperialism and promised Ukraine further aid. The country had been attacked by its big neighbor Russia, a country “that also attacks others,” said Scholz at the DGB rally on May 1 in Düsseldorf.
It cannot be that Russia is trying to use force to move borders. “That’s imperialism. We don’t want that in Europe,” he added. “We will not allow borders to be moved or territory to be conquered by force.”
Scholz’s speech was disrupted with shouts of protest
Scholz assured Ukraine that Germany would continue to support them: “With money, with humanitarian aid, but it also has to be said: We will support them so that they can defend themselves, with arms deliveries, like many other countries in Europe are doing .”
His combative speech was accompanied by chants such as “warmonger” and “liar”. He respects all pacifism, said the SPD politician. “But it must seem cynical for a citizen of Ukraine to be told to defend themselves against Putin’s unarmed aggression. That’s outdated.” He urged the Russian President to stop the attacks, withdraw troops and respect Ukraine’s independence.
Rupert Wiederwald, WDR, on Olaf Scholz’s speech and the mood among the visitors
tagesschau24 1:00 p.m., May 1, 2022
Chancellor responds to allegations
In the past few weeks, the federal government and Scholz in particular have come under criticism. His Ukraine policy is too hesitant, too anxious and too poorly communicated. In an interview with “Bild am Sonntag” he had rejected such allegations: “I make my decisions quickly and in coordination with our allies. I am suspicious of hasty action and German going it alone,” Scholz told the newspaper.
CDU leader Friedrich Merz had previously accused the chancellor of being anxious and hesitant about German arms deliveries to Kyiv. The Ukrainian ambassador Andriy Melnyk also called Scholz’s policy sluggish. He lacked imagination and courage. Scholz was undeterred by the attacks and made it clear that he was sticking to his course: “I’m not scared enough to be impressed by such allegations.” At the same time, he emphasized that harsh criticism of his decisions was legitimate.
Majority is critical of the chancellor’s work
Even his personal survey crash in popularity with the citizens does not make Scholz rethink: “You should take note of surveys, but you must not make your actions dependent on them, especially in questions of war and peace that would be extremely dangerous.”
His work is viewed critically by a majority. That goes from the youngest GermanyTrend out. Only 39 percent are currently satisfied with Scholz, his lowest figure since he took over the chancellorship. At the same time, the actions of the Federal Chancellor appear prudent to a majority, but also unconvincing in terms of communication. Currently, 64 percent of those surveyed think that the chancellor is acting prudently.