The world has become “more restless and rough,” stated Chancellor Scholz in his New Year’s speech. He complains about the wear and tear on the infrastructure, but also points to successes. Germany is up to the challenges of this time.
Against the background of numerous crises and conflicts, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls for mutual respect and confidence in the new year in his New Year’s address. Everyone in this country is needed, “the top researcher as well as the geriatric nurse, the policewoman as well as the parcel delivery person, the pensioner as well as the young trainee,” said Scholz.
“If we treat each other with this respect, then we don’t have to be afraid of the future.” Germany is up to the challenges of this time: “We can also cope with headwinds,” said the SPD politician.
Scholz referred to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, as soon as the Corona crisis was halfway over, the bottleneck in gas deliveries “and in the fall there was also the brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel.” The world has become “more restless and rough” and “it is changing at a breathtaking speed,” emphasized the Chancellor. “We also have to change because of this” and “many of us are worried about that,” said Scholz.
Scholz points to successes
He takes the dissatisfaction associated with this to heart. “And at the same time I know that we in Germany will get through this,” said the Chancellor confidently. He pointed out that despite the crises, pessimistic forecasts had not materialized. “Because we braced ourselves against the economic downturn,” things turned out differently. “Inflation has fallen. Wages and pensions are rising. The gas storage facilities are full to the brim for this winter,” Scholz referred to successes.
That doesn’t make the challenges of the time any smaller, but it gives courage that we can cope with them, he said. Scholz referred to problems with the railway and ailing infrastructure. The Chancellor complained that the country had been “driven to wear and tear for too long.” “That’s why we’re investing now: in proper roads and better railways.”
The Chancellor admitted that investing in a “clean energy supply, better climate protection and good jobs” had not become any easier as a result of the Federal Constitutional Court’s budget ruling. Not everything can be implemented as planned. Nevertheless, Germany will continue to invest a record sum in our future next year.
“I could have done without some loud debates”
And there are reliefs, added Scholz. Specifically, he referred to tax cuts at the turn of the year totaling 15 billion euros, higher child and housing benefits and falling social security contributions “for all those who earn little.”
“Our democracy also makes us strong,” emphasized the Chancellor. In eastern Germany, this was fought for 35 years ago by courageous women and men, and for everyone it is now “a valuable asset”. This democracy always included discussions about the right path. “Nothing will get better if we just talk about each other instead of with each other. What makes us strong is our willingness to compromise,” emphasized Scholz, and also “our commitment to each other.”
The Chancellor also found critical words for the policies of the current year. “Discussions about the right path are part of it. The struggle for fair compromises is also part of it – even if I could have done without some of the loud debates in the past weeks and months.”
Scholz emphasizes the importance of a strong EU
With a view to the current flooding in parts of Germany, the Chancellor thanked “all the women and men from the fire brigade and Bundeswehr, from the THW, the rescue services and the many volunteers who are fighting the floods with all their might.” He also expressed his sympathy for those affected, “who we will not leave alone in these difficult times.”
Scholz emphatically committed himself to a strong European Union. He viewed the agreement on the new common European asylum system as a success. Stronger border controls have already resulted in “the number of people crossing these borders having noticeably decreased.”
A strong EU is all the more important against the background of “Russia’s war in the east of our continent”, the armed conflict in the Middle East and in the run-up to the US presidential elections next autumn, “possibly with far-reaching consequences – also for us here in Europe”.
Andreas Reuter, ARD Berlin, tagesschau, December 31, 2023 12:00 p.m