German Chancellor pushes for vaccination in the country, thousands of protesters took to the streets
The move is condemned by some of Olaf Schultz's partners in the coalition, who claim to wait and wait for new findings on the Omicron.
They claim "our greatest asset. Was and remains our freedom."
At the same time, thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest against the plan, which also led to clashes with police.
News agencies
07/01/2022
Friday, 07 January 2022, 22:10
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In the video: Merkel calls for vaccination against Corona (Photo: Reuters)
German Chancellor Olaf Schultz insisted today (Friday) that his plan regarding the obligation to vaccinate against the corona virus would go ahead, despite fierce debate over the controversial move and growing opposition from his coalition partners.
Yesterday, 64,340 people were diagnosed as positive for the virus in the country, and 443 people died.
Schultz, who recently took over as chancellor in place of Angela Merkel, said in late November that mandatory vaccination for all adults is the safest way to get out of the epidemic.
The center-left Social-Democratic Party has asked members of the lower house to draft the necessary legislation in order to present the move in "late February or early March".
Schultz is not the only one who insists on a more rigid way of treating the virus.
Only this week in France, which is also in a difficult situation, were supposed to approve a tougher vaccine certificate, but a heated debate with the opposition in the country, scattered the discussion without decisions.
President Emanuel Macron has warned that he wants to "embitter" the lives of the unvaccinated.
"I really want to bother them, and I will continue to do so - until the end," he told Le Parisien newspaper.
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Demonstrations against restrictions in Munich, today (Photo: Reuters)
And meanwhile in Germany, only little progress has been made since then, and the strain is spreading rapidly, although its diminished severity has raised doubts about legislation, especially among the Free Democratic Party, FDP.
After a meeting with leaders of Germany's 16 districts about tighter corona restrictions, Schultz reiterated that "it would be good if we forced everyone to get vaccinated."
According to him, all the heads of districts in Germany have declared their support for the plan.
"I feel full support" by them, he said.
But the same cannot be said of the FDP, which, along with the Greens, make up Schultz's coalition government.
Although morbidity is rising, Germany has so far been spared the steep leap of the Omicron that has swept other countries - prompting FDP Justice Minister Marco Bushman to call to wait and see before vaccination is required.
FDP chief Christian Lindner said new findings "could play a role in the decision".
Demonstrations against restrictions in Munich, today (Photo: Reuters)
"Protecting human health and human life is highly desirable. But our greatest asset. It was and remains our freedom," Lindner said yesterday.
Germany's first parliamentary debate on the issue is only scheduled for the end of January, although Schultz himself originally intended legislators to discuss the issue before 2022.
Meanwhile, hundreds, if not thousands of protesters took to the streets to protest against the vaccination plan, which also led to clashes with police.
Schultz (Photo: Reuters)
Queue at the Vaccine Center in Frankfurt.
November, 2021 (Photo: AP)
The Austrian example
With just over 71% of the population vaccinated twice, Germany has a lower Corona vaccination rate than France, Italy or Spain.
Nearly 42% of Germans received a booster shot.
Like several other countries, Germany has already declared a vaccine requirement for certain professionals, including soldiers and health workers.
Neighboring Austria has gone further and is on the verge of enacting a vaccine charge, and will be the first in Europe to do so.
Although it was controversial there as well, the move was supported by all parties except the far-right FPOe of Austria.
"Mandatory vaccination will come, all experts agree on the high protective effect even from omicron and hospitalizations," said Austrian Chancellor Karl Nahmer.
Several MPs from the FDP have said they will submit a proposal against the plan.
FDP legislator and health expert Andrew Ullman has proposed a compromise, saying he will offer mandatory investigations to people over the age of 50 only, like Italy.
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