After a scandal at Scholz's speech - Baerbock presents foreign policy plans

Created: 01/13/2022, 18:51

By: Florian Naumann, Patrick Mayer

For the first time, Olaf Scholz as Chancellor and his traffic light coalition face a government survey in the Bundestag.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is also in focus.

• Bundestag debate on traffic light plans:

  Olaf Scholz (SPD) poses for the first time as Chancellor to a government survey in parliament - among other things on the subject of mandatory vaccinations.

• Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) has to put up with a violent attack by an AfD politician (

  see

  update from 5:57 p.m.

  ).

• The session on the government survey in the Bundestag begins with a small scandal (

  see

  update from 1:21 p.m.

  ).

• This

  news ticker for the traffic light survey

  in parliament has ended.

Update from January 12, 12:15 p.m .:

Also on Thursday, the Bundestag debates the plans of the traffic light ministries – we will keep you in a news ticker about the appearances of Robert Habeck (Greens), Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and other ministers Up to date.

Update from January 12, 6:55 p.m.:

Update from January 12, 6:50 p.m.:

Environment Minister Steffi Lemke was the last Federal Minister to speak at the government survey in the Bundestag.

She wanted to strengthen near-natural forests and moors with an action program, explained the Green politician and called for a focus on species extinction.

"It's about our livelihoods - water, air to breathe, food," she said.

Up to a million species are threatened with extinction, said Lemke: “They will be missing, and first and foremost us.

It's about our livelihoods - water, air to breathe, food. "

Government survey in the Bundestag: Annalena Baerbock (Greens) plans "feminist foreign policy"

Update from January 12th, 6.30 p.m.:

Again to summarize the speech of the Federal Foreign Minister: Annalena Baerbock (Greens) announced that German foreign policy would be more strongly oriented towards feminist goals. Your ministry will work out a “strategy for a feminist foreign policy”, Baerbock said this Wednesday in the German Bundestag in Berlin: “Some people find it difficult to pronounce the term. But it's actually very simple: It's about representation, it's about rights, and it's about resources. "

It is currently being experienced worldwide that "the dismantling of the rights of girls and women is an indicator for the strengthening of authoritarian forces," said Baerbock. "That applies in a very special and terrible way to Afghanistan." For German foreign policy, it must be clear: "If half of the population is not equally involved, represented or paid, democracies are not perfect."

Update from January 12, 6:02 p.m .:

Alexander Graf Lambsdorff (FDP) does not let the AfD announcement sit down and associates the party with the medium Russia Today in his speech.

His allegation is aimed at the fact that the AfD allegedly represents Russian interests in the Bundestag.

As a result, he warns of the "massive" troop deployment of Russia on the border with Ukraine and sharply attacks the Belarusian ruler Alexander Lukashenko.

Government survey in the Bundestag: Violent attack by AfD man on Annalena Baerbock (Greens)

Update from January 12, 5:57 p.m.:

Petr Bystron, foreign policy spokesman for the AfD parliamentary group, is the turn. He violently attacks Annalena Baerbock, asks the FDP and specifically its foreign policy expert Alexander Graf Lambsdorff directly, "how could you allow that?" Baerbock's appointment as foreign minister is meant. "German foreign policy has always been shaped by great statesmen," says Bystron, clearly emphasizing "statesmen". On top of that. The AfD MP lists former top male politicians such as Willy Brandt (SPD).

He also accuses Baerbock of an alleged confrontation with Russia by wanting to prevent Nord Stream 2.

"You are confronted with this country, it doesn't work that way," says the politician from Bavaria.

Four out of ten German cars were exported to China, he says and says: "What interests do you actually represent, Ms. Baerbock?

Those of German industry are not.” Finally, he calls the former Greens Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer a “warmonger”, presumably with a view to the former Kosovo mission of the German armed forces.

Government survey in the Bundestag: Annalena Baerbock (Greens) wants "Action Plan for Afghanistan"

Update from January 12th, 5:52 p.m.:

The SPD foreign politician Nils Schmid calls not always to look only at China - and does so himself at the end of his speech. "I am very concerned about the arms race in East Asia," explains the social democrat. In her speech in front of parliament, Baerbock focused more on climate policy and less on security policy.

Update from January 12th, 5:39 pm:

One of her first measures was to “put in place an action plan for Afghanistan”, says Foreign Minister Baerbock and calls for a “new humanitarian admission program” for those in need of protection from Afghanistan, especially women and girls. “We are experiencing an absolute humanitarian catastrophe these days. That is why we have to do everything we can to increase humanitarian aid, ”explains Baerbock. “That requires cooperation here in this high house,” says the Green politician.

Regarding the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, Baerbock said that the German government had reacted clearly to the provocation of the Russian troop deployment on the border with Ukraine.

"The sovereignty of Ukraine and the immovability of the borders in Europe are non-negotiable for us," she affirmed. 

We make climate policy our priority.

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (The Greens)

Government survey in the Bundestag: Annalena Baerbock (Greens) focuses on climate policy

Update from January 12th, 5:36 pm:

"We are making climate policy our priority," explains Baerbock to the new federal government and says that this also applies to foreign policy.

“We will increasingly expand climate and energy partnerships,” she says, “and tackle climate protection together with our partners around the world”.

Update from January 12, 5:33 p.m.:

Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (The Greens) speaks in the plenary hall of the Bundestag.

One of her concerns is to support the “strategic dialogue between the USA and Russia”, she says.

Germany finds itself in "a world with growing geopolitical tensions", there is "competition between authoritarian forces and liberal democracies".

Germany could not "without the European Union".

Speech in the Bundestag: Annalena Baerbock from the Greens.

© Kay Nietfeld / dpa

Government survey in the Bundestag: Violent attack by CDU politicians on AfD MPs

Update from January 12th, 5:10 p.m.:

Drastic words in parliament: Union member Detlef Seif has described AfD member Gottfried Curio in the Bundestag as a spiritual arsonist. "You are a communicative stabber and a terrorist," said the CDU politician from North Rhine-Westphalia on Wednesday during a plenary debate on migration and internal security. He added: “I don't know if you will notice that what you are throwing into the country is creating a poisonous climate. They are arsonists for what others do afterwards with knives and pistols. "

For his verbal attack, the Union politician then had to take criticism from Bundestag Vice President Petra Pau.

She urged him "to moderate himself when it comes to the designation or characterization of other MPs - that is, to use a parliamentary language".

Government survey in the Bundestag: Marco Buschmann (FDP) wants to abolish Paragraph 219a

Update from January 12, 4.40 p.m.:

In the Bundestag it was just the turn of Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) to conduct the government survey. He affirmed that the traffic light federal government consisting of the SPD, Greens and Liberals wants to delete the legally controversial regulation on data retention. “We will strengthen civil rights and thus ensure a new balance between security and freedom. This applies, for example, to data retention, a millionfold interference with informational self-determination, "said the 44-year-old, who comes from Gelsenkirchen, in parliament:" We have an absurd situation here today. Data retention is formally part of the law, but the courts have stopped it. Therefore it is hardly used. "

"Paragraph 219a will fall," he said.

The criminal law paragraph 219a concerns the advertising ban for abortion.

Buschmann demanded that women in difficult life situations should be able to obtain factual information.

Section 219a will fall.

Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP)

Government survey in the Bundestag: Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) criticizes Corona walks

Update from January 12th, 3:17 p.m .:

After the Chancellor, Nancy Faeser (SPD) was the first minister to have the floor - the Interior Minister kicked off a two-and-a-half day debate on the areas of responsibility of all traffic light departments. "Our society is not divided and we are not being divided," she emphasized with a view to the Corona crisis, but at the same time warned of "cracks in our society": "Anyone who attacks or intimidates scientists, journalists, police officers or politicians no longer leads to discussions, we don't see any 'walks', but organized actions in many places at the same time, again and again with violence, again and again with massive violations of Corona rules, right-wing extremists are unfortunately increasingly gaining influence regionally, "said Faeser. The perpetrators should expect "consistent criminal prosecution".

The Interior Minister expressly thanked the “overwhelming majority” of the population who showed solidarity in the Corona crisis, but also the police officers who “turned their heads”.

Protest is legitimate, said Faeser.

"Limit yourself," she demanded of demonstrators.

Scholz survives the first chancellor survey - a different constellation than in Merkel's time makes it easy for him

Update from January 12th, 2:42 p.m.:

Olaf Scholz completed his first government survey in the Bundestag without accidents - the new Chancellor received a very colorful package of topics from the plenary, but had an appropriate answer to most questions. In terms of style and rhetoric, the appearance hardly differed from that of its predecessor Angela Merkel (CDU). Scholz spoke emphatically calmly, almost monotonously, and at best accused the questioners of misrepresentation in a sober tone.

The meeting did not offer any major news in terms of content. However, Scholz announced concrete proposals for a corona bonus until the end of January, did not rule out a "points system" based on the Canadian model as a "supplement" for labor migration and spoke out quite specifically in favor of a general compulsory vaccination for all adults in Germany. The Chancellor repeatedly defended the plan to allow the Bundestag to vote openly and without parliamentary party pressure on such an obligation. Scholz also strongly advocated quick booster vaccinations.

The new constellation in the Bundestag also took a little pressure out of Scholz: While Merkel still had to deal with critical questions from four opposition factions, Scholz only had to deal with three;

CDU / CSU, AfD and Left - the traffic light parliamentary groups limited themselves, unsurprisingly, to steep drafts to represent the coalition plans.

The AfD parliamentary group caused a small uproar at the beginning of the meeting: it held up signs reading “Freedom instead of division”, a political action prohibited by the Bundestag's rules of procedure.

Bundestag President Bärbel Bas had to interrupt Scholz during his first words and threatened to be expelled from the hall and fines.

Of course, it didn't get that far, the MPs quickly made the signs disappear.

Chancellor survey in the Bundestag: Scholz counters AfD accusation coolly - "That is wrong information"

Update from January 12, 2:37 p.m.:

Bundestag Vice President Petra Pau (left) - who has since taken over from Bas - ends the round.

“Thank you very much,” are Scholz's last words.

Update from January 12th, 2:32 p.m.:

For the AfD, Michael Espendiller wants to dig deeper into the subject of energy prices - and asks on the side whether the traffic light wants to withdraw the supplementary budget, which the opposition criticized in part as unconstitutional.

As expected, Scholz defends the plans of Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP).

In terms of energy prices, the Chancellor refers to further plans - for example, the traffic light wants to grant housing allowance recipients a heating subsidy.

In his question, Espendiller accuses the government of being responsible, with the EEG, coal and nuclear phase-out, for the fact that “people can no longer afford a normal life”. "No, that is incorrect information that you put into your question," countered Scholz coolly. The best way to make yourself independent of price developments is to rely on renewable energy production in Germany - in the end that will also be the cheaper way.

Update from January 12, 2:26 p.m.:

The liberal Ann-Veruschka Jurisch gives Scholz another opportunity to speak about the government program - she wants to know how the traffic light wants to bring more workers into the German labor market.

Your inquiry: Will a points system based on the Canadian model play a role in immigration?

Scholz evades something remarkably and refers to the EU labor market.

He also wants to create an opportunity for “talents” from third countries who do not yet have an employment contract - a point system could play a role here, but not as a substitute, but as a supplement.

Scholz in the first Chancellor survey: 30 million booster vaccinations - "How do you want to achieve that?"

Update from January 12th, 2:21 pm:

The CDU parliamentarian Sepp Müller points to a statement by Scholz after the Corona summit: The Chancellor had promised 30 million more booster vaccinations by the end of January - "How do you want to achieve that?" asks Müller. Scholz emphasizes that the Christmas and school holidays have slowed down efforts. But now one more effort is necessary; the federal government did what could be done. "It makes a difference whether you get vaccinated in March or already now," explains Scholz.

Update from January 12, 2:16 p.m.:

After a question from the Greens parliamentary group, the left Pascal Meiser takes the floor.

He is interested in the corona care bonus - which should only benefit a (too) small group of recipients, as Meiser judges.

Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) is working on the issue, says Scholz - a proposal will be available at the end of the month.

“There are many questions of justice that have to be answered at the same time,” admits the Chancellor.

Therefore it is also right that the topic was not dealt with quickly before Christmas.

There has not yet been a decision on the group of recipients, so Scholz lets see through.

Bundestag: Scholz in first government survey - Chancellor defends Stiko and corona vaccination

Update from January 12, 2:07 p.m.:

The AfD MP Martin Sichert wants to know numbers about serious vaccine side effects.

Scholz thanks for the question, "but not for the intention behind it".

“You are confusing the citizens of this country.

The only thing that is good about it is that it is unsuccessful, ”added the Chancellor.

Billions of people around the world are successfully vaccinated - and vaccination is currently protecting many particularly vulnerable people.

"Everyone knows that there can be side effects, they have always been informed about them", the Stiko makes decisions responsibly and makes "sometimes much more cautious decisions" than anywhere else in the world, says Scholz on Insistieren Sicherts.

If the Stiko gives the green light, you can be sure: “It's the right thing”.

Update from January 12th, 2 p.m .:

The CDU is once again targeting Scholz Rolle in the struggle for mandatory vaccination: The Chancellor expresses himself in the plenary as a “private person”, complains MP Günter Krings - but the government survey is about the position the federal government.

At the same time, he asks in his question whether the decision about a job-related vaccination requirement is really less important.

Scholz defends once again the procedure that it is “appropriate to the matter” - and specifies his position: He is in favor of compulsory vaccination for “all over-18s”.

Scholz in the government survey: Leftists criticize mini-job plans - Bas makes faux pas

Update from January 12th, 1:50 p.m.:

A critical question comes from the Left MP Susanne Ferschl: She criticizes plans to expand mini-jobs - "We don't want to expand them, you said that incorrectly," replies Scholz. Rather, the traffic light wants to make jobs subject to social security contributions more attractive.

Ferschl is dissatisfied with the answer. If you dynamize the additional income limit for mini-jobs, you expand this area, criticizes the Left. Scholz contradicts again: "Sometimes you have to look at statistics and not a leaflet," he mocks. A little chuckle on the edge: Bas wants to give the floor to the next questioner and initially forgets Ferschl's right to inquire - the President of the Bundestag is shocked when she is called, and a little curse apparently escapes her: "Ah, fuck ..." Bas seems to mumble into the microphone ; but it could also have been a somewhat drawn-out search for Ferschl's name.

Update from January 12th, 1:47 p.m.:

A first finding from Scholz's first government survey: The new composition of the Bundestag with three government and three opposition factions creates a different, somewhat tamer dynamic.

For the Greens, MP Katrin Uhlig asked about the importance of the expansion of renewable energies in general and for industry in particular.

This, of course, is also a template for Scholz: "Now we have to do it," says the Chancellor, referring to the expansion of energy generation from renewable sources.

It is also about "the global competitiveness of our country".

Corona topic in Scholz's first government survey - AfD calls for "exit strategy"

Update from January 12th, 1:41 p.m

.: AfD boss Tino Chrupalla asks about relief for citizens, among other things in the energy price crisis - and about an "exit strategy" from the corona crisis.

Scholz first answers question two: The current corona measures are helpful, but vaccination also helps.

“Clearly, this is a global problem,” says the Chancellor, referring to rising energy prices.

“We want to abolish the EEG surcharge by the beginning of next year at the latest,” he explains.

That will relieve each family of around 300 euros.

Chrupalla - like all questioners - has a demand.

He addresses the EU “taxonomy” and wants to hear Scholz's arguments against nuclear power.

"The use of nuclear energy is not sustainable and it also does not make economic sense," said Scholz to the applause of the government groups.

Germany has set out to expand renewable energies.

Update from January 12, 1:39 p.m.:

SPD MP Bernd Westphal inquires about Scholz's plans for the G7 presidency - for the Chancellor, of course, a welcome opportunity to once again present the traffic light government's climate protection plans.

Corona vaccination requirement: Scholz defends plans without a traffic light proposal - time for “democratic leadership”?

Update from January 12, 1:31 p.m

.: The Parliamentary Managing Director of the Union, Thorsten Frei, was the first to address Scholz: He missed clear proposals from the traffic light government on how a mandatory vaccination could be implemented in a constitutional manner - Scholz was not able to to answer important questions about his request.

Scholz points to a different plan: he thinks it is right that the proposed solutions come from the Bundestag, explains the Chancellor.

Of course, the federal government supports the work of the parliamentarians.

Free hooks: The job-related vaccination obligation was not decided in an open vote, he complains.

Scholz emphasizes that a general vaccination requirement is a much more far-reaching step - it is the right time for “democratic leadership”.

Update from January 12th, 1:25 p.m.:

Now the Chancellor has the floor - around 20 minutes late.

In his speech, Olaf Scholz defends the federal and state pandemic measures.

He emphasizes once again that he will “actively” campaign for compulsory vaccination.

Scholz refers to the side effects of the heavy load on the intensive care units, such as postponed operations.

“You don't make a decision just for yourself,” says the Chancellor.

This is another reason why compulsory vaccinations are important.

Scholz then looks abroad: Europe has "lost a security" at the Ukrainian-Russian border, he says - that of being able to resolve conflicts through joint communication and cooperation.

The federal government wants to fight to regain this security.

Scholz has to interrupt the speech: AfD causes a scandal - Bas threatens to fines

Update from January 12, 1:21 p.m.:

Olaf Scholz starts with the first words of his introductory speech - but the President of Parliament Bas has to interrupt immediately: The AfD MPs present hold up signs that read “Freedom instead of division”, an illegal political action .

Bas threatens expulsion from the hall and a fine.

“I'm serious,” she says.

The AfD parliamentary group holds up signs in plenary that read “Freedom instead of division”.

© Michael Kappeler / dpa

Update from January 12th, 1:16 pm:

The parliamentarians continue to deal with the rules of procedure;

more precisely with the new corona rules for the Bundestag.

For the Union, Parliamentary Managing Director Thorsten Frei emphasizes that the change is right - to slow down the spread of the Omikron variant and to keep the Bundestag able to act.

But he cannot resist a point towards the SPD either: Bundestag President Bas has shown leadership with the advance.

That is what he would like from Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

The following vote is done quickly: Against the votes of the AfD, the Bundestag resolves the 2G-Plus rule for their own house.

Scholz has to wait for the survey premiere - AfD and SPD argue about new Bundestag rule

Update from January 12, 1:07 p.m.:

Olaf Scholz has to wait a little longer - the AfD is first raising a counter-speech against the new corona rules in plenary.

"They are demonstrably pushing healthy people into the stands," rants their parliamentary managing director Bernd Baumann: those who have not been tested are not allowed to go to the plenary, while those who have been boosted do not need a test.

“The only sensible rule would be to test all of them!” Cries Baumann.

SPD official Katja Mast replies: The exercise of the mandate is "not restricted at all" by the rules.

Rather, the new general ordinance strengthens the functioning of Parliament.

At the same time, politicians expect citizens to comply with the corona measures - and must act the same themselves.

Update vom 12. Januar, 13.04 Uhr: Als nächstes erklärt Bas die neuen Corona-Regeln im Bundestag - auch in der Volksvertretung gilt jetzt 2G-Plus.

Update vom 12. Januar, 13.01 Uhr: Bundestagspräsidentin Bärbel Bas (SPD) hat die Sitzung eröffnet. Sie eröffnet den Sitzungstag mit einer Würdigung für den verstorbenen Amtskollegen im Europaparlament, David Sassoli. Die Abgeordneten erheben sich für eine Schweigeminute.

Update vom 12. Januar, 12.58 Uhr: Die Glocke zum Sitzungsstart hat im Bundestag geschrillt - um kurz nach 13 Uhr wird sich Kanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD) zum ersten Mal den Abgeordneten zu einer Regierungsbefragung stellen. Für die Ampel-Koalition ist es der Auftakt zu einer anstrengenden Woche im Parlament: Nach Scholz‘ Auftritt heute und in den kommenden Tagen werden sich die Minister der neuen Regierung dem Plenum stellen.

Regierungsbefragung: Scholz‘ Premiere kommt am Mittwoch - auch Baerbock stellt sich dem Bundestag

Vorbericht: Berlin - Vor einem guten halben Jahr stand Angela Merkel (CDU) zum letzten Mal bei einer Regierungsbefragung dem Bundestag Rede und Antwort - und kämpfte unter anderem mit einem „flackernden Licht“. Durchaus möglich, dass ihr Nachfolger Olaf Scholz* (SPD) bei seiner Kanzler-Premiere für diesen Termin in etwas ernstlichere Probleme geraten wird. Zum einen wird die Opposition dem Neukanzler besonders gründlich auf den Zahl fühlen wollen. Zum anderen hat sich die Ampel-Regierung beim Thema Impfpflicht schon in erste Unstimmigkeiten manövriert.

Scholz im Bundestag: Erste Regierungsbefragung für Neu-Kanzler - Kritisch Impfpflicht-Fragen drohen

Denn eigentlich hatte Scholz noch für das erste Quartal 2022 eine Impfpflicht versprochen. Doch nun scheint die Koalition aus SPD, Grünen und FDP auf einen noch schwer einzugrenzenden späteren Termin zu zu schlingern. Justizminister Marco Buschmann (FDP) verwies auf mangelnde Omikron-Erkenntnisse*, andere Ampel-Politiker auf den Zeitbedarf einer offenen parlamentarischen Lösungsfindung.

Die Antwort auf drängende Fragen vor allem von Union und Linke steht aber offenbar auch schon: „Wir werden das im März abgeschlossen haben, ganz klar“, gab SPD-Fraktionschef Rolf Mützenich am Dienstag die Linie vor. Unions-Amtskollege Ralph Brinkhaus (CDU) dürfte indes einmal mehr auf mangelnde Führungsstärke Scholz‘ verweisen*. Eine Stunde lang wird der Kanzler - nach einem Eingangsstatement - Fragen aus dem Plenum beantworten.

Baerbock (Grüne) am Nachmittag dran: Regierungsbefragung im Bundestag - auch für mehrere Minister

Doch die rhetorische Nagelprobe für die Ampel-Koalition im Bundestag ist damit noch nicht beendet. Laut Tagesordnung des Bundestages werden in der Folge nacheinander noch vier Minister und ihre Ressorts in die Mangel genommen: Zunächst Innenministerin Nancy Faeser (SPD), im Anschluss Buschmann, schließlich Außenministerin Annalena Baerbock* (Grüne) und Umweltministerin Steffi Lemke (Grüne).

Zu allen vier Bereichen gibt es einiges an Gesprächspotenzial: Bei den Themen Innen und Justiz etwa die Corona-Maßnahmen und der Umgang mit Radikalisierungstendenzen in (kleinen) Teilen der Gesellschaft, beim Äußeren unter anderem der offenbar auch koalitionsintern umstrittene Umgang mit der Pipeline Nord Stream 2. In Sachen Umwelt könnten die Atompläne der EU oder auch die frisch vorgestellten Klimaschutzpläne von Vizekanzler Robert Habeck (Grüne) kritisch debattiert werden. Die Programmpunkte zu den Ressorts dauern jeweils 75 Minuten, Scholz wird 65 Minuten lang im Mittelpunkt der Debatte stehen.

• 13.00 Uhr: Befragung der Bundesregierung mit Kanzler Olaf Scholz (SPD)
• 14.05 Uhr: Debatte zum Thema Innen und Heimat mit Ministerin Nancy Faeser (SPD)

• 3.20 p.m.:

  Debate on law with Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP)

• 4.35 p.m.:

  Debate on foreign affairs, Europe and human rights with Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens *)

• 5.50 p.m.:

  Debate on the environment, nature conservation, nuclear safety and consumer protection with Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens)

A new, sometimes controversial regulation in the Bundestag could also provide unusual images in the government survey: Only vaccinated and tested MPs are allowed to enter the plenary;

2G-Plus applies.

Unvaccinated parliamentarians are also allowed to speak - but only from the stands.

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) *

.