It was the appearance of a full professional: SPD chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz conveyed the impression of a man in the ARD “Wahlarena” who cannot harm anything – not even sensitive questions. What can you take away from this for a voting decision?
“Scholz is tackling this”, it says on many posters and advertisements of the SPD in this election campaign. What exactly the chancellor candidate will tackle remains open. In case of doubt, this should mean: everything! An impression that Olaf Scholz gave massively in the ARD “Wahlarena”. The candidate for chancellor seems to be congruent with the election manifesto of the Social Democrats – and it has currently made him a favorite to move into the Chancellery.
Some key findings that can be gained from the Scholz appearance:
The appearance
Display of sovereignty
Enormous experience, enormous expertise, enormous sovereignty: Olaf Scholz showed himself in the “election arena” as he did during the entire election campaign. Calm, relaxed, matter-of-fact, knowledgeable, sure of victory. An attitude that has been very well received by the German electorate for weeks. In addition, the external mixture of seriousness (dark suit) and restrained looseness (open collar, no tie). Scholz radiated during the entire broadcast, which he occasionally also formulated during his replies: “You can rely on that”. Security and serenity in excited times – the SPD candidate also served a great longing for Germans in the arena.
The Scholz method
Scholz used a very specific method in the arena to take the wind out of the sails even for critical questions and usually even to wrest an affirmative nod. After each question he agreed to the presentation, agreed with the questioner in principle, praised the special commitment of a person on occasion and avoided open contradiction. The 63-year-old then used his wealth of experience and showered the questioners with details on the topic, measures that had already been introduced and laws that had already been passed. Hardly anyone was able to ask questions or raise objections afterwards. An approving nod from Scholz usually removed any remaining doubts. Tenor: Now you know! Even that very confidently, but by no means always clear in the answer.
The content
Coalition with the left remains an option
Despite the Scholz method, it became clear: Olaf Scholz does not rule out the possibility of the left participating in a government coalition. Scholz assured an 18-year-old who came out as an SPD voter but wanted to rely on the left not participating in the government because of its stance on NATO and security policy that he could trust him. The stronger the SPD becomes, the better the government becomes. In other words: Scholz hopes not to be dependent on the left, but obviously does not want to deprive himself of the controversial power option. Because:
CDU / CSU should “recover in the opposition”
“You can be sure that this is my whole goal, as incidentally, as I have the impression, that of many citizens, that the CDU / CSU can now recover in the opposition,” said Scholz when asked by a spectator whether he could be sure that there would be no new grand coalition. Scholz did not want to say what the new government coalition might look like. There is a “very, very democratic momentum” at the moment. The future coalition will not be made out in the back room. “Now is the time for the citizens to decide.” It depends on the Chancellor.
Retirement age will not be increased
On the question of the retirement age, Scholz made a clear commitment. He was against a further increase beyond 67 years: “We won’t do that,” he said. In addition, the SPD advocates a “stable pension level”, unlike the Union, for example. It was one of the few swipes at the current coalition partner.
Sticking to the coal phase-out in 2038
In terms of climate policy, the SPD candidate defended his adherence to the coal phase-out in 2038. He pointed out that the capacities of both nuclear and coal-fired power plants would have to be replaced and that the electricity demand of industry would increase enormously at the same time. If it is feasible, however, he supports an earlier coal exit – a cautious signal of rapprochement with the Greens.
Gastronomy: VAT remains reduced
Scholz wants to help restaurants and pubs by maintaining the reduced VAT. “We have lowered the value added tax for food in the catering trade and extended it again, and I would like to assure you: I have agreed to this extension decision and the introduction with the certain knowledge: We will never get rid of that again,” said Scholz. “So that is now something that should now also apply to gastronomy.” As part of its Corona aid packages, the coalition for food in the catering industry had the reduced VAT rate of 7 instead of 19 percent apply, currently with an extension until the end of 2022.
Digital lessons even after Corona
An end to the pandemic should not be synonymous with a complete end to digital teaching. “Corona will soon be over, and then we shouldn’t stop with the digital infrastructure in schools,” said Scholz. “We shouldn’t wish for a whole week of digital lessons to take place now – but if two or three hours are done digitally, if you learn to work together between students and teachers with digital formats, then that also helps young people to be well prepared are for a life in which digital communication options play a very, very important role. ” Scholz expects that the federal government’s billions in funding for school digitization in the “School Digital Pact” will now increasingly reach schools.
Commitment to a strong Bundeswehr
A strong Bundeswehr “in the European network” is a concern of Scholz, especially with a view to the debacle in Afghanistan. “I will also do everything I can to ensure that the Bundeswehr will always have adequate equipment in the next few years,” announced Scholz. With its own European capacities, Germany must also be able to bring soldiers into and out of a deployment location. Scholz acknowledged joint armaments efforts within the EU, but at the same time admitted: “We will always have to be allied with the USA.” “Only dreamers could say otherwise”. Given the very strong defense power of the USA, it remains important to work with them in NATO. A sticking point if it comes down to a coalition with the left.
With material from DPA and AFP
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