Olaf Scholz’ New Year’s address: “We are not a country of opposition”

In his New Year’s speech, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) calls for unity – especially after the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg. “We are stunned by this inhumane act. How can a mad assassin cause so much suffering?” said Scholz in the pre-recorded speech, which will be broadcast on New Year’s Eve. He promoted “respect for each other” and “trust in each other.”

Strength to carry on even after such an act comes from solidarity, “and we are a country that sticks together,” the Chancellor continued. This could also be felt in Magdeburg itself. The attack shortly before Christmas killed five people and injured more than 200 others.

“Let us think of the countless first responders, nurses and paramedics, of the doctors who cared for, operated on and treated the wounded to the point of exhaustion and beyond,” he said. The police and other emergency services also acted “highly professionally” and “many of the Christmas market visitors themselves spontaneously helped”.

Scholz criticized the fact that “wild rumors were circulating on the Internet and social media” after the attack. Many of them turned out to be untrue. “This is not good for our country,” warned the Chancellor in his New Year’s speech. However, where there were actual failures on the part of the security authorities, “these will be cleared up and remedied,” he also made it clear.

“We are not a country of opposition, nor of passing each other, but a country of togetherness,” said Scholz. “And we can draw strength from this – especially in difficult times like these,” he also referred to other current challenges that Germany has to face. “Our economy is struggling,” admitted the Chancellor and: “Life has become more expensive.”

Many also looked “with a feeling of growing anxiety at Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine,” said Scholz. “I assure you that we will not leave Ukraine alone and will continue to support Ukraine like no one else in Europe,” he made clear. At the same time, the government will continue to “keep a cool head so that the war does not spread.”

In his speech, Scholz also referred to “Germany’s success story.” With one percent of the world’s population, the country is “the third largest economic power in the world” because “we are hardworking” and “because more women and men are going to work today than ever before in our history.” Working-class children could also “go to a proper school” and everyone could receive good medical treatment. And “hardly any other country has as many friends and partners internationally as Germany.”

With a view to the federal election on February 23rd, Scholz called for people to go vote. “You, the citizens, will determine what happens next in Germany. The owners of social media do not decide that,” he emphasized. “It is not who shouts the loudest that determines what happens next in Germany, but rather the vast majority of sensible and decent people.”