Berlin One week after his election as Chancellor, Olaf Scholz outlined the program of the traffic light government for the next four years in the Bundestag on Wednesday. In the election, the majority of the citizens opted for new beginnings and progress. In view of the pandemic, it is important not to hesitate now. Now the course has to be set. “We have no time to lose,” warned the Social Democrat.
This applies primarily to the fight against the corona pandemic. December hits the mood anyway with its dark days, and the atmospheric Christmas markets and convivial Christmas parties are currently missing, said the 63-year-old.
“I am aware these days it is sometimes difficult not to lose courage,” said Scholz, also with a view to the increasing number of infections, busy hospitals and hundreds of deaths in connection with Corona. The situation is difficult, but the solution is obvious: contact reduction.
The Chancellor appealed to the population to reduce contacts and get vaccinated. He reiterated the goal of 30 million vaccinations from mid-November to the end of the year. They are on the right track, they have already had 19 million vaccinations, said Scholz.
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Everything will also be done at European level to fight the pandemic. According to Scholz, there are “no red lines” for the federal government. “I will see to it that the necessary measures are initiated,” said the Chancellor.
With a view to some violent anti-vaccination opponents, Scholz affirmed that German society was not divided. Because a large part of the population decided to have a corona vaccination. “We are listening. We’re looking for the debate, ”said Scholz. Germany will not, however, allow the minority to impose their will on the majority. “Our democracy is a defensive democracy.”
Scholz is preparing the population for profound changes
According to Scholz, Germany must outgrow the corona crisis. Economic growth creates new leeway, says the SPD politician. Germany could finance what is necessary. The traffic light coalition will use the constitutionally permissible leeway in the budget. It is also being examined which expenses the government can forego. In addition, the fight against tax evasion will be expanded again.
According to Scholz, a modern Germany will be the goal for the next few years. “The federal government, which is now starting its work under my leadership, will be a progressive government.” The SPD politician promised a government of social, societal and cultural progress, but emphasized above all technical progress. Only with him can Germany become climate neutral and keep up with global competition.
The “power of progress” is particularly evident in the pandemic, added the Chancellor. The corona vaccine developed in Germany saved the lives of millions of people around the world. The vaccine from Biontech is “the best proof that smart progress, smart innovation and smart modernization make the world a better place”.
The government statement by Olaf Scholz is followed by a two-and-a-half hour debate.
(Photo: dpa)
In view of the fight against climate change, Scholz prepared the Germans for profound changes. “Now we have 23 years ahead of us in which we must and will get out of fossil fuels,” he said. “This means that the greatest transformation of our industry and economy in at least 100 years lies ahead of us.”
The traffic turnaround is to become a “central pillar” of its climate policy for the traffic light coalition. Scholz assured: “In the coming years we will ensure that mobility becomes easier, more comfortable and more climate-friendly and that it remains affordable for everyone.”
Scholz named the expansion of rail transport as a focus. Big cities will be better connected to long-distance traffic, but rural areas will also be better connected and, if necessary, disused routes will be reactivated. He also held out the prospect of an “expansion and modernization pact” for better local public transport.
At the same time, the new Chancellor confessed to car traffic: “Many people like to drive, and it should stay that way.” He is therefore aiming for 15 million electric cars on German roads by 2030.
Scholz proclaims a decade of future investments
With a view to the energy transition, Scholz said that Germany currently consumes around 560 terawatt hours of electricity per year, and that demand will increase to up to 750 terawatt hours by 2030. 80 percent of this is to be generated from renewable energies, which means that Germany will have to more than double that share by 2030. That was a huge challenge, said Scholz. But: “I am firmly convinced that we will succeed.”
A decade of future investments is now necessary. Most of the should be shouldered by the private sector. That is why “super write-offs” are important in 2022 and 2023 when investing in climate protection and digitization.
The social democrat ruled out quick successes in housing policy. That is why the rent brake will be extended until 2029. In order to strengthen the supply in the long term, the traffic light coalition will create 400,000 new apartments per year, 100,000 of which are socially subsidized apartments. Too often, especially in big cities, the dream of owning a home does not come true.
The new Chancellor defended the proposed increase in the minimum wage to twelve euros. This one-time adjustment step is possible and necessary in a rich and economically strong country. This is “a concrete expression of a policy of respect”, it benefits up to ten million workers. Scholz emphasized that an independent commission should generally decide on further steps in relation to the minimum wage. Scholz also highlighted the goals agreed by the SPD, Greens and FDP to keep the pension level stable and not to raise the retirement age.
Scholz also emphasized that Germany was a country of immigration. But: “We have to become an even better integration country, I feel responsible for that.”
And: According to Scholz, Germany should become the leading location for start-ups. In return, the young and innovative companies should receive further tax advantages and the KfW development bank should play an even stronger role.
Scholz: Stand by the EU Commission when it comes to the rule of law
In his government statement, Federal Chancellor Scholz emphasized that the European Union is based on the values of democracy, freedom, human dignity and the rule of law. The new federal government is committed to these values and will “clearly” stand by the EU Commission in defending them, said Scholz, obviously with a view to the attitude of Poland and Hungary.
On November 30, 2005, the CDU politician made her first government statement in the Bundestag.
(Photo: AP)
Scholz also honored his predecessor Angela Merkel (CDU). With a view to their services for Germany over the past 16 years and expressly also to the smooth change of government, Scholz said: “Thank you, Ms. Dr. Merkel. ”The noiseless change of power in Berlin was received“ worldwide with a lot of admiration and respect ”.
According to a government statement, Scholz travels to Brussels
His first government statement is followed by a two-and-a-half hour debate in which the Union parliamentary group leader Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU) will take on the role of opposition leader for the first time. With the AfD and the Left, the other two opposition parties will also position themselves in the first coalition of the SPD, Greens and FDP at the federal level.
After the debate, Scholz travels to Brussels, where he takes part in the summit of the so-called Eastern Partnership. These are consultations between the EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, which will also address the current crisis. Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron want to meet with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky before the summit. On Thursday, Scholz will take part in his first regular EU summit as Chancellor.
The SPD, Greens and FDP signed the coalition agreement at the beginning of December – around ten weeks after the general election. A week ago, Scholz was elected ninth Chancellor of the Federal Republic by the Bundestag.
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