STORY: NOTE: This post will be broadcast without narration. O-Ton Olaf Scholz (SPD), Federal Chancellor: “Especially here in Germany we know that worldwide networking, a social market economy and world trade are a good basis for a strong welfare state Of course we do. We are not alone in this world. We will not solve many of the world’s problems on our own. We need international partnerships, cooperation and diversification. But at the same time we need social security and domestic stability. Then as now, we saw that Companies with works councils get through times of crisis better. Only a strong welfare state can create the cohesion that is needed to overcome crises together and tackle change successfully. This is particularly true in view of the difficult months that have been caused by Russia’s war of aggression Ukraine and all its consequences before u ns lie. Precisely because we have traditions in Germany such as social partnership and co-determination at work, we will be able to master these challenges well. Digitization and the exit from fossil fuels are driving the change in our economy and working world. At breathtaking speed. Good specialists, their know-how and their creativity are our most important resource. That has always been the case and will continue to be so in the future. I am convinced that the transformation towards a climate-neutral economy can only succeed if employees can have a say, if they have a say in where the journey is going. For this, the works councils have to sit at the table. In some companies and sectors there is still a lot of pressure on employees who want to set up employee representation. That must not be, dear colleagues, co-determination is part of the DNA of our social market economy.”