Shortly before the MPK: Scholz suddenly speaks of corona "opening steps" - and becomes almost emotional

Created: 02/12/2022, 15:28

By: Florian Naumann

Olaf Scholz during his premiere speech in the Bundesrat.

© Chris Emil Janssen/www.imago-images.de

Olaf Scholz rushes from appointment to appointment.

His chancellor premiere in the Bundesrat was on the program on Friday - Scholz promised somewhat unexpectedly quick corona relaxations.

• Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) held his inaugural speech in the Bundesrat* on Friday (February 11).

  He spoke of a "homecoming".

  (

  updated from 9.40 a.m.

  )

• Scholz spoke somewhat surprisingly of quick "opening steps" in the Corona crisis.

  (

  updated from 9.40 a.m.

  )

• The Chancellor also commented on the Ukraine crisis.

  (

  updated from 9.55am

  )

Update from February 11, 10:04 a.m .:

Olaf Scholz has completed his inaugural speech in the Federal Council.

The Chancellor had in his luggage an announcement of the first concrete "opening steps" in the Corona crisis, which was not necessarily expected with this clarity.

Scholz also announced relaxation plans with a view to spring.

At the same time, he defended the federal government's vaccination plans - both in the dispute over the institution-related *, and with a view to general vaccination.

At the appointment in the state chamber, Scholz once again underlined his course in the Ukraine crisis.

In addition to praising federalism, he had other friendly announcements for the federal states - for example in terms of debt relief for the municipalities.

This is on the agenda of the traffic light government.

The Federal Council answered with friendly applause, there were no requests to speak.

Scholz himself spoke of a "homecoming".

As Hamburg's mayor, he was at home for several years as a state government representative in the Bundesrat.

Scholz speech on Corona-Ukraine: Chancellor wants to strengthen the EU - Ramelow allows himself to joke at the Chancellor's expense

Update from February 11, 9:55 a.m .:

Scholz also commented on the situation in Ukraine in his Federal Council speech.

"It is our job to ensure that we prevent war in Europe," stressed the Chancellor.

However, he does not have any big news ready: it is important to send a clear signal to Russia that an invasion would be associated with high costs, but also to show unity with allies.

Scholz refers to talks about the OSCE, in the NATO-Russia Council or in the Normandy format*.

At the same time, Scholz recalls his talks with the Baltic heads of government on Thursday - his trip to Moscow also serves to secure peace in Europe.

In view of the crisis, the SPD politician also advocates a strengthening of the EU: "In order to permanently reduce our vulnerability, we must strengthen European sovereignty."

There are no requests to speak about Scholz's speech in the state chamber.

The newly elected President of the Federal Council, Bodo Ramelow (left), praised the Chancellor's words - Scholz had praised the importance of federalism and the diversity of state governments, but also promised measures to speed up approval procedures and reduce local government debt.

Ramelow also allows himself a joke at Scholz's expense: The feeling of being applauded in the Bundesrat is probably new for the chancellor, says the leftist - in any case, that was not the case in the role of Hamburg mayor.

Corona: Scholz suddenly speaks of "opening steps" - and becomes almost emotional in the Bundesrat

Update from February 11, 9.40 a.m .:

Olaf Scholz is giving his inaugural speech as Chancellor in the Federal Council in these minutes.

He also commented on the Corona situation - and announced easing at the Prime Minister's Conference in the coming week.

The scientific forecasts showed that the peak of the omicron wave was imminent, said Scholz.

This allows “a first opening step” at the Corona summit next Wednesday (February 16) – but at the same time “to consider further steps for spring”.

So far, Scholz had been cautious about loosening *.

Scholz also defended the current Corona course of his traffic light government.

The measures would get Germany “well through the omicron crisis”, the health system had held up despite the great burden on doctors and nurses.

The Chancellor defended the plans for institution-related and general vaccination.

It is now about protecting the most vulnerable, said Scholz with a view to care.

Especially with a view to the coming autumn, the general obligation to vaccinate still makes sense.

Almost at the same time, the Federal Constitutional Court rejected an urgent application against compulsory vaccination in nursing.

Scholz opened his speech with comparatively personal words: For him, the appointment in the Bundesrat was “a kind of homecoming” – as mayor of Hamburg he “always felt in the right place”.

The state chamber is also the "heart chamber of federalism in Germany".

Scholz premiere today: Chancellor speaks in the Bundesrat - it's about the new driver's license deadline

Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday on his way to the Federal Council.

© Political Moments/www.imago-images.de

Preliminary report:

Berlin – After the first visit to Washington, Chancellor Olaf Scholz* is followed by the next premiere – albeit on a somewhat smaller scale: On Friday, the new German head of government will speak for the first time in his current office in the Bundesrat.

As Hamburg's mayor - but also as finance minister under Angela Merkel - Scholz was of course often active in the state chamber.

There would be no shortage of explosive topics, for example in view of the cross-state dispute about the facility-related compulsory vaccination*.

According to information from the AFP news agency, two other questions will be the focus of Scholz's speech.

Chancellor Scholz gives the Federal Council premiere - it's all about the driver's license

On the one hand, this is the second supplementary budget for the year 2021. On the other hand, a topic that at first glance seems to be more administration-centric: the exchange period for (old) driving licenses*.

Driver's license holders born between 1953 and 1958 should have exchanged their "rags" issued before 1998 by January 19.

In view of the Corona situation, an extension of the deadline was proposed - a case for the Federal Council.

Scholz is scheduled to speak at around 9:30 a.m.

Observing the current mood in the state chamber could be exciting at the appointment.

But there is also no question: The bigger tests for Scholz will only be the turn of the truth in the coming week.

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