ZDF summer interview: Olaf Scholz sees himself as the government’s pacesetter

The polls in the basement, the coalition at odds on important projects: But the chancellor wants to exude confidence and sees Germany on course. At least that’s the impression Olaf Scholz gave on Sunday. The ZDF “summer interview” dealt with many topics: possible new arms deliveries to Ukraine, the economic situation in Germany, migration policy, the state of the traffic light coalition.

The interview was recorded in Scholz’s home in Potsdam, in a rowing club at the Olympic base. The SPD politician rows himself. When asked what his role in the “government’s rowing boat” is, the Chancellor said: “I’m the one who sets the pace, and I also see that as my task. And make sure that it’s progressing.”

However, the rowing in the “government rowing boat” has been anything but even for months. A conflict, especially with the FDP over the heating law, could only be resolved after lengthy negotiations. The draft for the federal budget for 2024 could only be decided with a great deal of effort due to tighter financial leeway. Important projects are unresolved, for example the financing of basic child security. The government is also at odds as to how exactly the economy should be relieved in the face of an economic downturn. The course in migration policy is also controversial. When asked on ZDF whether he supports Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s (SPD) deliberations on tightening the deportation rules for asylum seekers who are required to leave the country, Scholz said: “Yes.”

Bad poll numbers for Olaf Scholz

The polls for the traffic light parties have been bad for months, while the AfD is soaring. ZDF commissioned a “political barometer extra” for the summer interview with the chancellor. The results of the survey: anything but intoxicating for Scholz. Only 21 percent of those surveyed are of the opinion that the chancellor is more likely to assert himself on important political issues. 73 percent say, on the other hand, that Scholz is unlikely to prevail.

The Chancellor called the “diagnosis” incorrect. “We made a lot of very specific decisions.” He wishes that the tone would sometimes be different than it was in the past – but I have the impression that many have planned to change that over the summer. The fact that there are discussions is not a problem. “But we need a clear course that you can see.” He is convinced that the government is doing exactly what is needed for a good future in Germany – and that this will also be honored in elections.

Chancellor wants to push high energy prices down

But will the coalition listen to the Chancellor’s words? doubts are warranted. Example: the debate about an industrial electricity price. Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) wants a state-subsidized industrial electricity price for a transitional phase, which would cost billions. Habeck speaks of a “bridging electricity price” of six cents per kilowatt hour for particularly energy-intensive companies. The trade unions, many business associations and the SPD parliamentary group also want that. The FDP rejects an industrial electricity price.

And the chancellor? Two years ago, Scholz, as a candidate for chancellor, had set an industrial electricity price of four cents as a goal at Industry Day. On Sunday he expressed his reservations again. “We have one main task,” said Scholz. “It consists of getting the electricity prices down, structurally, because we won’t be able to subsidize electricity prices permanently.” Above all, Scholz emphasized that there is now more speed in the expansion of renewable energies and the power grids.

Scholz counters in the ZDF summer interview

Business associations are warning of an increasing exodus of companies abroad, among other things because of the high energy prices in an international comparison. There is also too much bureaucracy and not enough skilled workers. In view of the economic downturn, the economy needs broad relief. Scholz defended himself against voices that the location was no longer attractive. He referred to investments by foreign companies in Germany worth billions, for example from the semiconductor industry. The companies had “consciously” opted for Germany as a business location.

Ukraine is continuing to put pressure on the German government to supply Kiev with German Taurus cruise missiles for defense against Russia. Ukraine already has cruise missiles from Britain and France. Scholz did not commit himself on Sunday either. As in the past, the federal government will always check every single decision very carefully – what is going, what makes sense, what the German contribution could be. He also advocated further international talks on ways to end the conflict.

An episode of the “Hotel Matze” podcast with Scholz was also released on Sunday. In it, the chancellor called for more composure and a willingness to compromise. “We can’t always prevail on our own, not everything can go our way,” he said. That’s how it is in private, but also in politics: “Compromises are part of it, and they’re not bad.”